POETRY CHAPBOOK | jackiemarx

MY POETRY CHAPBOOK

November, 2020 Prompt Challenge: 30 poems in 30 days. My poems are stream -of -consciousness. No crafting as such. In December I will compile these poems into a chapbook.

DAY 1

PROMPT: ENTER

I was thinking of the election when I wrote this on Nov 1st.

Yearning for Yesterday

Today, hands tied behind my back,
mouth taped shut,

I am swept into this untenable world…
not of my making

ignorance and blatant thievery
writ large upon a corrupt canvas

erasing the once-sacred document
created by God for us,

that guided our actions to an equitable state
of balance, of liberty

wiped clean and modeled in a malicious manner
that will enslave us...

I yearn for yesterday

copyright 2020 Jackie Marx

DAY 2

PROMPT: UNEXPECTED

Christmas morning when I was a child.

Christmas Morning

The electric air palpable,

deadpan expression keeps me safe

I have been disappointed before

Will this be the moment, the grand reveal

that someone listened to my heart?

Really listened…

Festive paper torn, I reach into the abyss

Scarf and gloves again, flannel pjs, sturdy oxfords?

My breath catches as my hand touches…

the Barbie of my dreams

Life is good this Christmas morning

DAY 3

PROMPT: DREAM AND/OR NIGHTMARE

For Bob

The Runner

Speeding down the track, swift and sure
my feet slapping the asphalt

Two miles in and not even winded

Great shape for the shape I’m in

The autumn wind slaps my cheeks

My eyes weep, I brush salty tears away

Head down, I pick up speed

I am flying, flying around the track

Nothing, nothing can stop me
and then, as quickly as it appeared

My dream turns to nightmare

I am watching the runners

… from my wheelchair.

copyright 2020 Jackie Marx

DAY 4

PROMPT: "BLANK" MYSELF

I Delude Myself

It felt real, my heart melted

He was the one!

Yes, this time it was real...

only it wasn't

Why don’t I learn?

Why don't I learn?

DAY 5

PROMPT: RUIN

The moment the marriage ended but no one left.

That Morning

Standing in the kitchen
near the pink refrigerator
confronting my husband
I asked if he cheated

Expecting denial
from the cold-hearted man
I waited for solace
that would never come

Backing toward the oven
away from his stony stare
still hopeful of denial
heart pounding, I waited

“With anyone I can find”
he left his vows on the cracked tile
ambled out of the kitchen
leaving our marriage in ruin

DAY 6

PROMPT: IN MEDIUS RES
(in the middle of)

SOUNDS IN THE NIGHT

AND THEN THE SOUND OF RUSTLING NEAR MY OPEN WINDOW
A SOUND I AM NOT PREPARED TO DEAL WITH

FROM DEEP SLEEP TO ACTION--I AM NOT A FIREMAN
MY BRAIN IN A FOG I ASSESS THE SITUATION

WOULD IT BE PRUDENT TO LOAD MY GUN?
IT COULD BE A FRIENDLY OUT FOR A STROLL…

MEANDERING PAST MY OPEN WINDOW
IN MY BACKYARD WITH A LOCKED GATE?

DAY 7

PROMPT: THIS TIME

THIS TIME

I AWAKE, THE ROOM IS DARK...AS WHEN I HAD DRIFTED OFF
STRANGE SOUNDS BREAK THE SILENCE, I CAN’T CONTAIN MY HEART
I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED…
THAT LAST TIME

NO HIDING UNDER GOOSE DOWN, NO PROTECTION THERE
NO WISHING IT AWAY, OR PRETENDING IT’S THE FRIDGE CYCLING
I KNOW I DID…
THAT FIRST TIME

CAN’T CALL MY MOTHER, COULDN’T BEAR THE HANG-UP
POLICE DON’T VENTURE OUR WAY, WE’RE ON THE COUNTY LINE
I KNOW, I DID THAT…
THE SECOND TIME

FOUR TIMES THE CHARM, I WAKE THE KIDS, PACK THE CAR
TRUST IT’S THE FRIDGE, NO MORE BUMPS IN THE NIGHT
BOUND FOR CIVILIZATION, NEVER LOOKING BACK…

THIS TIME

DAY 8

PROMPT: A PERSONA POEM

(jump into someone else's skin)

BLUE SKIES IN AMERICA

I DIDN’T HAVE TO DO THIS, I WAS RECRUITED
BECAUSE I LOVE AMERICA, I SAID “YES”
NOW I AM BEING CRUCIFIED BECAUSE OF PEOPLE’S IGNORANCE
AND THE NEED OF THE SHADOW GOVERNMENT TO SHUT ME UP

I WISH I COULD STOP, BUT I CAN’T
THE CRIMINALITY STILL ROAMS THE STREETS
WE ARE SO CLOSE TO BLUE SKIES IN AMERICA
I CANNOT STOP, MY FAMILY AND I MUST STAY THE COURSE

MOVING FORWARD WITH MY LOVED ONES’ BLESSINGS
UNTIL THE LAST LEGAL BALLOT IS COUNTED, I AM STILL IN CHARGE
I CAN’T BELIEVE THE TREACHERY, EVEN I AM SHOCKED IN THE KNOWLEDGE
DEEP STATE, YES, BUT NOT THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA

THEY HAVE BEEN MISLED LIKE IN HITLER’S HORROR,
THE NEXT FOUR YEAR WILL BRING HONESTY AND THE LIGHT
BLUE SKIES WILL EMERGE ONCE AGAIN
AMERICA WILL BE AS INTENDED…ONE DAY SOON

PLEASE HAVE FAITH AND TRUST THE PLAN…

DAY 9

PROMPT: OUR LITTLE CORNER

OUR LITTLE CORNER

Comforted by minutia, we snuggle up

Blinders on, we blot out the bigger picture

It is safer than living the unknown

Only the unknown is not, is it?

Avoiding with every fiber, every ounce
ignorance is our safety net

Tucked away in our little corner
Fingers in our ears,. “La, la, la, la, la....

DAY 10-30 coming soon...maybe

Summer Vacation

Summertime, best time

Janice and Jean, Sharon and me

Year after year

Bakery truck, warm cinnamon rolls,

Swimming, fishing with Dad

Year after year

Summertime, worst time

No more Janice, no more Jean

Year after year

Just Sharon and me left wondering

Pregnant Mom, angry Dad

Year after year

One more mouth, where will it sleep?

Displaced and confused

Year after year...

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Happy Weekend

Weekends, a blessing for some

for others a curse

Young children trapped in dysfunction

spend more time with their tormentors

on the weekend

Drunk and demented lash out at the helpless

The self-absorbed don't protect

passive parent figures enjoy the reprieve

and stay silent

Many, many years later...

Weekends, a blessing for some

for others a curse