NaPoWriMo Day: 15 Writer’s Block

On By WinstonIn Humor, NaPoWriMo, Personal, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today marks the halfway point in the NaPoWriMo challenge. So naturally, I had absolutely no clue what to write. As I was stressing about it, I began devising rhymes about my problem. Here is the result.

Enjoy!

Writer’s Block

I sit here and I ponder what
To write I have no clue.
At fifteen yarns the wells gone dry
I’m not sure what I’ll do.

I know that I should write something
I really have to try.
Today would be the halfway point
To miss might make me cry.

Done the werewolf done the vampire
Done violent games as well.
Done the drones and done my dog
Done God, oh bloody hell.

I guess I must accept the truth
I’ve nothing left to write.
With nothing more to offer you.
I fade into the night.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day: 14 Common Ground

On By WinstonIn Discrimation, NaPoWriMo, Personal, Personal Responsibility, Society, Values1 Comment

As I sneak up on the midpoint of the NaPoWriMo challenge, I wanted to get a bit more personal again. I’ve been the person who assumed their view was the only one. Fortunately, I’m slowly growing out of it. This poem is about the need to make that change, both as individuals and a society.

Common Ground

When I was young I thought I knew
So much more than I did.
But that is often how it is
When you are just a kid.

As I’ve aged my views have changed
As every viewpoint should.
I’ve learned to see a wider world
I wish more people would.

There’d be less strife, less needless hurt
If we just tried to see.
That person there might have a point
The problem could be me.

So spare a moment and a thought
And take a look around.
For when you open up your mind
You’ll find more common ground.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day:13 The Dream

On By WinstonIn NaPoWriMo, PersonalLeave a comment

Today’s NaPoWriMo entry grew out of just the first two lines. They were all I had when I started it. There was no sense of narrative or where it might go. I just allowed it the freedom to write itself. Probably the closest thing in here to “stream of consciousness”. Let me know what you think.

Enjoy.!

The Dream

I dreamed I walked along the shore
Beside a raging sea.
Above the screaming gulls wheeled by
It seemed they called to me.

Out on the sea I watched a brig
Run full before the gale.
She flew along like she had wings
And dared her mast to fail.

I turned and saw upon a rise
A horse as grey as smoke.
There on it’s back a fair young child
And as I looked she spoke.

Her words were lost beneath the noise
Of thunderous waves behind.
She tried again then turned her steed
Rode off, left me behind.

I tried so hard to follow her
But she was out of sight.
And then the next thing that I knew
Twas cloudy, moonless night.

I staggered through the batt’ring wind
How long I do not know.
When ‘tween the madly swaying trees
I saw the faintest glow.

Still on I strove far up a hill
The rain was pouring down.
Then through the darkness and the rain
One light became a town.

I plunged ahead my only thought
To reach the shelter there.
I did not see the precipice
Stepped off into the air.

I twisted as I dropped and saw
The girl on her grey.
And finally heard her words so clear
“You fool, don’t go that way! ”

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day: 12 Take 2 Penguin Dreams

On By WinstonIn NaPoWriMo, Personal, Self Awareness, UncategorizedLeave a comment

My first poem of the day was a bit heavy and political. This one’s a little lighter and fluffier.

Elsewhere on this blog, I wrote about “The Penguin and the Snake: A Parable About Self – Acceptance”. This is sort of a prequel.

Enjoy!

Penguin Dreams

A penguin sat upon the ice
And stared up at the sky.
He thought how happy he would be
If only he could fly.

He’d never seen a whale up there
Nor hungry, hungry seal.
If he could fly he’d be so pleased
To not be someone’s meal.

Then as he sat and thought some more
A plan began to form.
He’d travel far, he’d travel wide
And maybe somewhere warm.

He’d find someone to teach him how
To fly instead of swim.
So thinking this he fell asleep
A flying dream found him.

He bid farewell to all he knew
Then set out one fine day.
But it would be a long, long time
Before he found his way.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day: 12 Two Sided Story

On By WinstonIn Global Issues, NaPoWriMo, Politics, Society, Uncategorized, WarfareLeave a comment

I’ve been reading a fair bit about the ongoing drone war controversy. I don’t agree with the idea of murdering people because they might be a threat to your “interests” somewhere down the road. Let’s not kid ourselves. If you kill someone without due process of law, that’s murder. Even more so when the dead are “collateral damage” in something as vague and useless as a “War on Terror”.

So NaPoWriMo Day 12 looks at it from two different perspectives. The receiver is in a normal font. The sender in italics.

Enjoy!

Two Sided Story

I was sitting in a cafe
Somewhere that has no name
Drinking coffee with a good friend
The day the drone strike came.

I was sitting in a soft chair
Away from those I killed
I’d received a big promotion
Because I am so skilled.

Others were there with us that day
A dozen maybe more
When it was done the final count
Survivors, we are four.

It’s not my fault don’t try to blame
Me for the things I hit
I’m not the one who makes those calls
Just try to do my bit.

The smell of blood and burning flesh
Strong as the day they died
It’s never gotten easier
For all the tears I’ve cried.

They say here is your target site
Inside a terrorist
I ask if there are others there
I ask but don’t insist.

There’s some who say I should strike back
A part of me agrees
Yet then I know they’ll have their turn
Then us, like some disease.

Sometimes when I close my eyes
The mangled strangers there
Will reach for me, scream “I accuse!”
Or sometimes they just stare.

I know that some will choose revenge
That is their path to seek.
I choose to walk a different path
Some say this makes me weak.

But still I go to work each day
This is my path in life.
This pain the price I must pay to
Prevent a wider strife.

But I endure still seeking peace
Despite the odds I face.
I still believe in truth and good
And in the human race.

I hope one day that I won’t need
To do these awful things.
I hope we all can be at peace
Enjoy all that it brings.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day: 11 The Gamer

On By WinstonIn Humor, NaPoWriMo, Pop Culture, Society, Uncategorized, Video GamesLeave a comment

As a gamer, it bugs the crap outta me when some people announce that violent games and movies are more to blame than “gun culture” for mass shootings. I live in Canada. That means I’m exposed to all the same violent games and media as my southern neigbours. On the other hand, we experience a tiny fraction of the gun violence. Are we just inherently nicer? I don’t think so. We’re just less inured to the idea that shooting someone is a valid form of conflict resolution.

Today’s NaPoWriMo entry covers my feelings on the subject succinctly… and with a pinch of humour.

Enjoy!

The Gamer

I’ve blown something up again
I’ve crashed another car.
I’ve pulled out both my forty – fives
Shot up a crowded bar.

So now you think I am quite bad
Just rotten to the core.
But wait a sec, don’t judge me yet
There’s more oh so much more.

I’ve stolen cars and driven drunk
Hit people in the street.
The guns and bombs are very fun
But knifing is a treat.

You’re edgy now you back away
But you don’t understand.
All that stuff and more lives in,
Imagination land.

There’s dragons here and UFOs
And Nazis by the score.
There’s gangsters, grifters, cowboys too
And skeletons and more.

I drive a car I’ll never own
And save a galaxy.
I’m someone else with firmer abs
Than mine will ever be.

So blame my games for all your crime
If that’s what helps you sleep.
Just bear in mind that you are wrong
You foolish, foolish sheep.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day: 10 My Puppydog

On By WinstonIn Loving Life, NaPoWriMo, Personal, UncategorizedLeave a comment

NaPoWriMo sees me changing gears yet again. Today is all about my dog Chester. Anyone who’s been reading this blog for a while will probably have seen him here before.

The other day I was sitting on my couch debating what to write my next poem about. As I was pondering, Chester shifted around on his bed to lie on my feet. This poem came out of that moment.

Enjoy!

My Puppydog

There is a puppy on my feet
As sweet as he can be.
We are the very best of friends
My puppy dog and me.

He’s always glad when I get back
He rushes there to greet.
If we’re gone long we always bring
Our puppy dog a treat.

He loves the snow and loves his walks
Loves napping in the sun.
A bunny chase, a nice car ride
My puppy dog finds fun.

We are so very lucky for
As puppy people know.
There’s no limit how much love
A puppy dog can grow.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day:9 Movie Nights

On By WinstonIn Loving Life, Movies, NaPoWriMo, Pop Culture, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’m a huge movie nut. I love watching them, talking about them, and watching them again. Film snobs annoy me. I know what I like, but over the years I’ve learned the difference between “I don’t like that.” and “That’s bad.”

When I’ve had a crap day, or I’m not feeling well, a movie can take me out of myself for a little while. That’s an incredible gift. This is my thank you for all the laughs, jumps, tears and suspense.

Enjoy!

Movie Night

The lights go down the screen lights up
We settle in our seats.
There’s movement now and sudden noise
Our hands reach for our treats.

The picture starts we are amazed
Amused or terrified.
We laugh or scream or shout or stare
Sometimes some tears are cried.

There’s beauty there and horror too
To some it’s all just sleaze.
The wonder is it’s everything
Or anything you please.

Dragons, damsels, heroes bold
All on the screen appear.
With hope, despair and joy up there
So simple and so clear.

Take us away then bring us back
Show things we’ve never seen.
Show us wonders and delights
Upon the silver screen.

Then we go home and go to bed
Our dreams so vivid now .
Those dreams are fuelled by your gifts
So thanks please take a bow.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day:8 Religious Dissenter

On By WinstonIn NaPoWriMo, Personal, Religion, Society, Uncategorized, ValuesLeave a comment

I’ve got a good friend who happens to be gay. He is also one of the finest human beings it has been my privilege to know. He has literally spent his life working to help others. So when I see hear people saying “God hates gays!”, or “Same sex marriage is against God’s law!”, it makes me ill. Then it makes me angry.

For all those bigoted, hateful people…… this one’s for you.

Enjoy!

Religious Dissenter

Who is this “God” whom you declaim
So loudly in the street.?
Where is your proof for all you say?
As you so proudly bleat.

Your “God says so” is such a crock
To everyone but you.
You talk of love but act from fear
In so much that you do.

With every “God hates…” that you speak
You show how wrong you are.
The God I know would surely ask
Just how you fell so far.

You sit and judge when what you quote
Says that is your God’s role.
And anyone who plays at God
Must forfeit their own soul.

But in your mind you have God’s grace
To reinterpret it.
You twist and bend the meaning there
Your “faith” to make it fit.

So keep your “faith” you have that right
But keep it far from me.
There’s too much hate too little love
There’s no God I can see.

Cheers, Winston

NaPoWriMo Day:7 Vampire Ascendant

On By WinstonIn NaPoWriMo, Pop Culture, Uncategorized, ValuesLeave a comment

Day seven of NaPoWriMo sees me visiting with a very different sort of vampire. If I were to become a vampire, I’d probably be more like this one. If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

Enjoy!

The sun has set the night is dark
The darkness sets me free.
I sense my anxious breakfast near
How tasty it will be.

I used to have to go and hunt
Oh how I love these days
For now my victims come to me
Like moths drawn to a blaze.

I’ve walked this world five hundred years
May walk a thousand more.
I love this time it’s easier
Than any time before.

You don’t believe so do not hunt
With holy cross and stake.
You look away or stare in awe
With every life I take.

The truth is I am what you want
I’m all you seek to be.
You come to me as supplicants
Believe I’ll set you free.

But there’s no freedom for you here
I offer only death.
Yet still you try to praise my name
With final ragged breath.

Cheers, Winston