Don't expect it to be new...

you might lay a self nude,

circle a flaw or run a bind...

Bring erasers of all kinds...

a rhythm will present itself

listening in for what is left...

Surely you've got it in you

if only my friend-in-write

you'll undamit & begin it!

07.09.2022

How to: Poetry challenge @Finder

You know you are writing fantasy when

Your computer gets flagged by the school system

When you have hundreds of websites bookmarked.

When you know more than most people about mid evil weapons

When you create a monster that scares even your friends

When you create a whole new universe, plants and stars.

When you create other realities and their rules.

I bathe in sandalwood to keep you all over me. I beg for your weight, giving your limbs permission to crush my limbs without having to settle for dreams of phantom bodies on top of me. I ache. To be kissed. Fingertips, matches on my skin. Your touch, sage to my negative mind.

I’ve been resurrected. I dance on walls, and forbidden fruit hangs in haunted bedrooms. Will I ever be a fantasy or will I wake up sweating, clinging to my own sheets?

what if you die

and then you see a rerun of your life

it was dark and desperate in the beginning

but then

you slowly

very slowly

started to see the wonderful things again

what if you started to love the sun

what if you noticed the feel of scratchy grass under your feet

what if you stuck your tongue out to catch snow in the winter

it doesn't seem like your dreams are going to happen anytime soon

but your nightmares turned into reality

maybe your dreams can too.

My ice cream does not melt,

I slowly twirl a frozen cherry.

Atop a mound of sinful delight,

Temptation proving the rightful winner.

What I feel in my heart underwhelms the soul,

Like faded rose petals--shadowed a color.

For a month so short,

It offers absolute freedom.

Where do I go from here?

Katryese Austin

(c) 2/8/2022

Ripped jeans and a sweatshirt,

tapping the cap of the pen,

she sits, stare and paper

vacant, and you wonder what’s

behind her eyes, what plans

or dreams, concentration or

boredom she channels into

the incessant flick of her

pen, purple, as it happens—and

upright now, in rapid, pressed

motion across the page with

ink flowing thick as she

leans over creation itself and

writes.

The more I grow up

The more I see,

The world

And what's perceived of me.

Whose really talking,

While the rest lay quiet.

Whose really living,

While the rest stay silent.

I'd be amiss,

If I didnt admit,

I've been on both sides,

Where we both have lied.

But when you just listen,

You defeat the mission.

Yes, you have a choice,

In your own voice.

We all seem to lean on,

What the world's become.

Just stand up,

Or take a knee,

But if you have nice words to say,

Dont say them quietly.

Too many people,

Are hating each other.

I remember when,

It was love one another.

Cuz I’m fine, I’m alive

If I’m not dead, I’ll survive

No will to live, no goal to believe

No one to see, no help to give

Why am I here, on this cursed world?

Just making cuts, and spilling blood

I should leave, be gone to the night

Cuz what’s the use, if people notice my plight?

So I’m broken, I’m shattered, I’m torn,

Things piercing my skin, like thorn after thorn

I look in the mirror, try saying I’m beautiful

But burst into tears, cuz lying isn’t dutiful.

They shout words, like bullets shooting me

I fall to them, poisoned and flee

People tell me, to not care

But how can I, when that’s all I fear?

They tell me not to crave acceptance

I fall to society’s whims, and their expectance

People tell me, to think positive

But how can I, when everything in life is negative?

So I’m broken, I’m shattered, I’m torn,

Things piercing my skin, like thorn after thorn

I look down from up high, thinking of ending my life

But back down time to time, and don’t die.

I don’t want to die, just want life to end.

I hate when you say we’re just friends,

The cycle of longing stares never ends

I hate when you say we’re just peers,

Your words make me shed tears

I wanna be more than friends,

I wanna be yours until no end

I wanna be more than peers,

Why don’t you call me yours?

Oh oh oh, Call me yours,

I’ll call you mine

Make me yours,

And I’ll make you mine

Oh oh oh Just want you here by me,

But you’re not here so you see,

I’m falling deep in love with your sweet smile,

But you say you don’t hate me well it’s a lie

I love when you say we’re together,

That we’ll last forever

I love when you say I’m your girl,

That I’m your world,

I wanna be more than acquaintances,

However you don’t share my grievances

I wanna be more than what me are,

But that day’s so far

Oh oh oh, Call me yours,

I’ll call you mine

Make me yours,

And I’ll make you mine

Oh oh oh Just want you to hold me

But you’re never here to see

I’m falling in love with you,

And out the window my heart flew…

I am so tired.

I am crushed by the weight of myself.

My bones can no longer carry their heavy burden –

grey slabs of skin,

wispy hair that must be tonne a piece

at least,

organs that are failing,

memories that are fading,

a thousand and one regrets.

But soon,

soon I shall sleep,

and bury each one of them deep

within my soul so

that I may know

peace.

So that I may find

release.

Soon, I will sleep.