April 2016 Poem A Day #5 - The Novice Orphan

The Novice Orphan

I'd lost at love
at money
I'd lost at friendship
and achievement of all sorts
I'd lost bets,
keys, cups of coffee
by the dozens
Lost my place in books
lost my way in travels
lost my breath while running.
But when it came to
losing you Mom
last of my parents
I had nothing to go by,
When we lost Dad
it was you and I
WE lost him.
And now I have
lost you as well.
No sisters. No brothers
to share it with.
No preconceptions
No idea what to expect.
no experience
no armor.

                    ------ Mar (Mistryel) Walker

April 2016 Poem A Day #4 - Distance

Far

Everything is blurry
and far away now.
Things recede daily
as I run towards them.
.
The universe expands
faster and faster yet
my world seems to
contract like a spasm
.
or a fist raised
against grief.

                      -- Mar (Mistryel) Walker

April 2016 Poem A Day #3 - Three minutes

Three Minutes to Midnight

Water's rising, clock ticking
while we fight about everything.
Consider sneaker brands
change TV channels.
Meanwhile nature plots against us
Zika nature's way
of giving us the diminished
capacity we already
act like we have.

                         
                           -- Mar (Mistryel) Walker

April 2016 Poem A Day #2 - Consequences

Consequences

She said
"I'm going to march and get arrested." 

I said
"Oh Really,"
 "And what will that prove?" 

She said
"Corporations have too much power,
  "we'll show them people count." 

I said
"Did you vote in the midterm elections?" 

"No" she said.
"It's a free country I don't have too." 

I smiled sadly, donated her bail
to the League of Women Voters.

                         --- Mar (Mistryel) Walker




                       

April 2016 Poem A Day #1 - Broken

Broken

glasses, plates, mirrors,
ashtrays, mugs, bottles, bowls,
candle holders, coffee carafes,
every item of glass
in small pieces on the floor,
three inches deep
everywhere here
in this studio apartment,
testament to anger
pent up
from love
unexpressed,
and fearing
abandonment,
she sweeps it all
takes out the bags,
buys paper plates
before he gets
home.

                  - Mar (Mistryel) Walker

This was written using Robert Brewer's April 1st prompt for the April 2016 Poem A Day Challenge on the Writer's Digest web site which directed participants to write a foolish poem where the writer was foolish or where there was a prank of some kind.    This is not so much a prank but a crisis in a one party's perception of a relationship, and a decision by that person not to bring it up - yet.
 http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2016-april-pad-challenge-day-1

Dia Beacon then Hudson River gawking

This is a view of one of the giant sculptures on view at Dia in the lower level. A friend invted me on this excursion, and rather than wait around all day for primary results I thought, why not a day trip.  You can walk inside these metal pieces and if you sing a little the echo is stunning.  Later we stumbled into the parking lot of the Beacon train station which is right on the Hudson River. On this balmy Feb. day I needed no coat, hat or gloves - but ice was still in the river from last weeks -9 temps. Weird. We later had an early dinner at Max's on Main in Beacon. Great day.

Women of the World Poet Saroya Marsh

Bang! by Saroya Marsh in surprise February feature before the White Plains Library's slam.

Wednesday at the spur of the moment I decided to go to the White Plains Library to see Zork and Sweetie. Hadn't seen them in a while. For the first time in a long time, I read a poem in an open mic. On this night, that was after falling flat on my face getting on the stage. Really. Literally. Nose to carpet. Oh well. 

The format at the White Plains Library is, open mic, FEATURED POET, then last the SLAM. And on this night, another poet had cancelled and  Saroya Marsh  - an educator, poet, personable activist, "voice for the voiceless," and high power performer was the feature!  See the Split Journal Interview  Check out her Poets & Writers page  

Later at the diner, big smiles

Zork and Sweetie, slam veterans. Zork runs the White Plains Slam. They are also known for a crazy vlog, BedVlogs - recorded fully clothed in bed. (yes you read that right)