Westover Writings

NaPoWriMo Day 30 - Finale

2013-04-30T23:08:00.000-05:00

Finale

Years go by and all changes,
all stays the same. So different
from a year ago, no different
from yesterday, nor yesterday
different from the day before.
Where does the change go?
Where does it come from?
Next year will bring more,
tomorrow more of the same.

NaPoWriMo Day 29 - Harvest Moon

2013-04-29T23:15:00.000-05:00

Harvest Moon

Hanging low, decor
of the black sky's horizon
bigger and brighter
then ever, still pales against
sun's enormous light

NaPoWriMo Day 28 - Coat of Paint

2013-04-28T23:14:00.000-05:00

Coat of Paint

A coat to warm, a coat to hide,
coats a simple way to dress up,
change up an existing wardrobe,
makeover without changing
who you are underneath,
just covering, revitalizing,
giving birth to a new identity.

NaPoWriMo Day 27 - DIY

2013-04-27T22:01:00.000-05:00

DIY

It may appear to just be porcelain,
split into bowl, tank, lid, and seat,
but in fact it is a threshold, a transition,
first project of a new homeowner,
first project completed by ourselves,
no calling maintenance, no plumber,
just a married couple in their home,
discovering how this world works.

NaPoWriMo Day 26 - Hypocrite

2013-04-26T18:11:00.001-05:00

Hypocrite

Rules and standards don't apply to you,
you who love to tear down, can't handle
somebody else doing the same to you.
You act as if you are infallible, universe's
central point, people live only to serve you.
Your needs above everybody else's,
wants, dreams, desires, handed to you.
You don't even see what I see, do you?

NaPoWriMo Day 25 - Moon Light

2013-04-25T22:29:00.000-05:00

Moon Light

On an otherwise dark,
desolate highway,
moon in the distance,
massive and orange,
headlight of the horizon.
Light of the night,
solitary glow against
black sky, black asphalt.
Always just ahead, leading.

NaPoWriMo Day 24 - Garden

2013-04-24T22:36:00.000-05:00

Garden

Statues of life, stalks
reaching towards the heavens
praising the life givers,
warming sun and cooling rain,
while roots dig deeper,
ever exploring mysteries,
darkness and light combine
giving birth to the plants.
Gnome standing guard,
silent porcelain soldier,
waiting, watching
for the first signs of winter.

NaPoWriMo Day 23 - War

2013-04-23T23:38:00.000-05:00

War

Thunder crashes, lightning flashes,
battle standard of the heavens
Field is doused in rain, clouds
move in, the cavalry, answering
general's call to arms. Sun, the King,
retreats beyond impenetrable walls,
he has no place on the field of battle,
though he will return promptly,
surveying the damage his minions cause.
Wind howls, the bugler of the army,
calling all to their place in the ranks.
Hail rains down, mortars of the sky.
The King returns to his throne,
showing mercy as a rainbow unfurls.

NaPoWriMo Day 22 - Eclipse

2013-04-22T23:39:00.001-05:00

Eclipse

Infinite power of the sun
trapped for a brief moment,
extinguished
reborn
Goliath tumbled by David
only to rise again,
still powerful
until the next eclipse

NaPoWriMo Day 21 - The Creek

2013-04-21T23:54:00.000-05:00

The Creek

Shallow water gently cascades over stones,
soft trickling permeates the still air,
barely deep enough to know that water
runs, but it flows all the same, never knowing
where the current may go.

NaPoWriMo Day 20 - Introspection

2013-04-20T22:27:00.000-05:00

Introspection

Walking along the trail, only sound
babbling of a tiny creek beside me,
wondering where I am headed.
Selfish desires, knowing how unlikely,
disappointment and guilt abound.
Why can't I be selfish? Why not wish,
even when all logic says hope is lost?
Why feel guilty for wanting something,
even if nobody else wants it, even if
getting what I want could be a disaster?
We want the things we want, selfish,
selfless, it makes no difference.
So long as I don't manipulate my way,
what's the harm?

NaPoWriMo Day 19 - Motives

2013-04-19T22:47:00.000-05:00

Motives

I say I want for you to decide,
choose what will make you happy,
never allow others to sway you
but deep down I know, understand,
selfishness abounds in my mind.
I want you to be happy, what's best,
I want what's best to be what I want,
though I know that's not how it works.
I could say my way would be more fun,
less stress, I wouldn't be lying, sounding
noble, though my intent neither selfless
nor selfish, at least not entirely, lying
somewhere in between, going nowhere.

NaPoWriMo Day 18 - Digital Divide

2013-04-18T22:57:00.000-05:00

Digital Divide

Thousands of miles, time and distance
separate us, but online, we can appear
right next to each other, in an instant.
Talk, and laugh, enjoy our time together
as if we weren't five states apart.
Closer would be better, I know,
but across the digital divide, we almost,
almost, could be living together.

NaPoWriMo Day 17 - Pillowtop Reflections

2013-04-17T22:45:00.000-05:00

Pillowtop Reflections

Laying down to sleep, mind too active,
wondering, pondering, thinking over
things that may or may not come to be.
Why do I worry so? Why does my mind
travel through dark paths of uncertainty.
Darkness reflects my mind's bleak visage,
projecting fears against the still night air,
each worry a star in the planetarium of my soul,
dazzling, fighting so hard against the darkness.
I fall asleep, but I get no rest.

NaPoWriMo Day 16 - The Rain

2013-04-16T23:08:00.000-05:00

The Rain

Cleansing yet destructive,
raw power raging from the heavens
washing away filth and beauty alike
leaving behind death and new life,
refreshment, drowning,
pools for playing,
cars carried away,
fires extinguished,
lightning starts anew.

NaPoWriMo Day 15 - Questions

2013-04-15T23:10:00.003-05:00

Questions

There are mysteries around the world,
questions we want the answers to,
questions that should not be answered,
questions that ought not be asked.
The world needs a little mystery,
needs to have questions and answers,
but not every question should be asked,
not every question needs an answer.
The greatest mystery of all,
knowing when to ask,
when to stay silent.

NaPoWriMo Day 14 - Masks

2013-04-14T23:11:00.000-05:00

Masks

They say misery loves company,
but what kind of company would it be?
Like a hangover without drinking,
the clean up without the party,
miserable company does nothing,
nothing to offset the misery.
Make it a masquerade, hide away
fear, uncertainty, if the sun disappears,
then shine an artificial light, call it dawn.
Wear the mask of merriment, joy,
show the painted smile to the world,
eventually the mask won't be needed.

NaPoWriMo Day 13 - I Wonder

2013-04-13T23:27:00.002-05:00

I Wonder

I wonder what it would be like,
if I were rich,
if I were famous,
if I were straight,
if I were religious,
if I were strong,
if I had everything,
everything I wanted,
but most of all, I wonder,
if I were all those things,
would I wonder what it would be like,
if I were exactly as I am now?

NaPoWriMo Day 12 - The Oasis

2013-04-12T21:44:00.000-05:00

The Oasis

Burned by the blazing cruel sun,
traversing the desert of depression,
glimpse salvation on the horizon,
a small, fleeting moment of happiness.
Rush to it, embrace the oasis of joy,
no matter how small or insignificant
it may seem, this small boost,
difference between life and death.

NaPoWriMo Day 11 - House Hunting

2013-04-11T22:27:00.001-05:00

House Hunting

Out on the prowl through the concrete jungle,
a local guide discerning the tracks, seeking signs,
life located, we close in, target in our sights.

Fire! A miss, the prey bounds away,
the hunt begins anew.

Target after target is found, few worth the effort,
even taking aim seems a waste, we leave them be.
Another shot, another miss, another shot, miss,
desperation begins to set in.
Judgement clouded by hunger.

Dejected, leaving the jungle empty handed,
brush comes to life, bounding in front of us,
perfect shot. Steady aim, as quick as it began,
it is over.

NaPoWriMo Day 10 - Traiku Two

2013-04-10T17:16:00.000-05:00

Traiku Two

Feel guilt for wishing
dreading that it won't come true
fearing that it will

There is no escape
no clear path to victory
wishing selfishly

Having no control
waiting, either bated joy
or disappointment

NaPoWriMo Day 9 - Edge Cases

2013-04-09T17:21:00.001-05:00

Edge Cases

Impossible to predict every possible turn,
each potential use, always the unexpected
waiting, waiting, to catch you unawares,
throwing the best laid plans into turmoil.
Glitches compound, impossible, improbable,
though rare, stand out, shimmering faults
overshadowing the normal, the expected,
mundane events the majority of our life,
yet they all too often remain unnoticed.

NaPoWriMo Day 8 - Balance

2013-04-08T22:55:00.000-05:00

Balance

Every push also a pull, every failure a success
every winner has a loser, every wish grated
disappoints somebody else. Light cannot shine
without darkness, nor shadows be born
without light. Every step towards one goal
leaves another further behind, cyclical life,
night overtaking day, sun overtaking moon,
status quo stagnant, solid, steady, steadfast,
standing still as we fruitlessly toil away,
trying to escape the prison of perfect balance.

NaPoWriMo Day 7 - Graveyard Shift

2013-04-07T23:40:00.001-05:00

Graveyard Shift

You wake up with the setting sun,
darkness calling you to rise, as I
wind down for the night, replacing
you in the already warmed bed.
Your day begins as mine ends,
tomorrow it all begins anew, I wake,
you sleep, but that time we do share,
my lunch, your dinner, between shifts,
I would not trade for the world.

NaPoWriMo Day 6 - Chess Master

2013-04-06T22:41:00.000-05:00

Chess Master

Viewing the world in checkered squares,
each piece analyzed, examined, its place,
potential, future, all recorded in his mind.
The pawns may wish to rise, rise, rise,
become a queen, their goals seem paltry,
he decides, each move a means to his end.
Carefully placed, gently moved, one square,
one square traveled at a time, never rushing
across the board, never upsetting the balance,
the pieces never know they have been moved,
until home is far away, they can never return,
another piece looms over, poised to rise,
until it too is sacrificed, subtly, as planned.
Checkmate.
Only the chess master wins.