I’m Not Too Proud To Admit…

I’m not too proud to admit I made mistakes. 

I’m not too proud to admit I rebooted four times.

I’m not too proud to admit I changed majors three times.

I’m not too proud to admit I changed careers three times.

I’m not too proud to admit I have two divorces and a failed engagement.

I’m not too proud to admit I never had children because I chose poor mates. 

I’m not too proud to admit I’m insecure.

I’m not too proud to admit I’ve had to change in every way.

I’m not too proud to admit I used people’s self loathing projected onto me to define me.

I’m not too proud to admit I don’t need a lot of people like I used to.

I’m not too proud to admit I used to be weak until I found strength inside.

I’m not too proud to admit I am me!!!

-AAA 11/10/2024

They’re Playing Your Song

Frozen in a trance

Never spoil this magic chance

Use your headphones, dance.

Music is your type

Not your everyday hype

Which became your gripe.

Air guitar along 

With all your favorite songs

You know I’m not wrong.

Play it loud and strong

You are right where you belong

Just you and your songs.

Play your air guitar 

Windmills like Pete will go far 

Just be who you are…

-AAA 11/09/2024

Never Said Goodbyes

What could you tell me 

That I don’t already know

What could you sell me 

That’d make my life grow.

What else could you reveal 

That would set everything right

What could you gesture, a meal

To appease all my appetites

What could you do to restore faith 

Then and only then your kindness starts

So, why so often are you a wraith

Cruelty not love, did you impart.

What other games would you play

Toying with the purest heart

When your final hand is played 

Is when resentment starts.

How far will your “sorries” go

To reassert my favor with you

Are you truly sorry, “no”

The main reason I left you.

Marriages come then they go 

When someone leaves it’s earned

After years of the to and fro

The love, destroyed, it’s burned…

-AAA 11/09/2024

Wake-up And Write

Just awake 

Crumbs in eyes 

Vision’s blur

Then blue skies.

Nothing wrote 

After nine 

Get in gear 

I’ll be fine.

Saturday 

Sleeping in

Much to write 

Sure I’ll win!

Picking forms 

For today

This one now

Hard to say.

Three count syls

Just a sneeze 

These quatrains

Are a breeze.

Rhymes four 

After two 

Created

When I’m through. 

Next stanza

Keep going 

Ideas 

Are flowing.

Where they lead

I don’t know

As I write

Poem grows.

Mind to phone

Then it’s blogged

Much work left

Brain not fogged.

Nice going 

Nearly through 

Words escape

What I do.

iPhone notes 

Quickly write

Finish line 

Is in sight.

So read up 

Nearly done 

Wake poems

Are much fun…

-AAA 11/09/2024

Sir Squonk

Sir Squonk the dilettante was stubborn and true

With no self proclaimed limits to what his mind could do.

This immodest expert on all

Couldn’t tell spring from fall.

As the seasons were not his milieu.

-aaa

Originally Published 05/10/2024

Lady Misery

There once was a lady from town

Whose face always wore a frown.

No humor or concession

Can change her complexion.

She looks like a sad-faced clown…

-aaa

Originally Published 05/09/2024

Wake Up, Go To Bed, Repeat 

Wake up now 

Day begin

Lots to do

Planners win.

So get dressed

Put on clothes

Brush your hair

Blow your nose.

Socks are on

Shoes as well

Grab your coat

Feeling swell.

Grab your keys 

Lock the door

Off to work

Then the store.

Office bound 

Traffic bad

Journey slow

Drives you mad.

Music plays 

Happy songs

Always rights

Commute wrongs.

Then arrive

Plenty work

Take my lunch

A nice perk.

Finish work

Homeward bound

Once again 

Traffic found.

Music plays

Once again

Much akin

An old friend.

Later home

Dinner ate

Clean the pans

Wash the plates.

Then relax

Read a book

Eyes heavy

Day’s toll took.

Back to bed

No sorrow

All redone 

For tomorrow…

-AAA 11/08/2024

Warm Fall Day

So breezy

Warm fall day 

Shining sun

Much to say.

Breezes blow

Swaying trees

Dusty air

Thank you please.

Parks are full

Playgrounds too

Screaming kids

Joyful view.

Some will swim 

In warm pools

Soak up rays 

They’re no fools.

People dance

Music plays 

Beat goes on 

Night and day.

End this jaunt

Good times had

Warm fall days

Never bad…

-AAA 11/07/2024

Writing Magic Nines

Writing a poem that’s Magic Nine 

Does not take a sleight of hand

One might think the skill divine 

Another tool in your poetic work shed

It’s not like walking a fine line

Quite liberating, a fun exercise

This poetic form is mighty fine

The finished product will be quite grand

If done well enough the readers will be kind.

-AAA 11/07/2024

A Poets Work is Never Done

Consonants, syllables, words, and beat

These are the color pallets of a poet

There are no shortcuts or way to cheat

Ask any one of us, as we all know it

Usually one line comes to mind

As we create something new

Each poem, one of a kind

As our processes are tried and true

Counting syllables with one hand

Per the rules of a poetry type

Only a poet understands

The efforts involved as they write

Often when the writing is done

One stanza must be erased

This is part of our editing fun

As our poems form, post haste

Quatrains, haikus, raikus, and quadrilles

A myriad of forms for the poet to choose

Using our creativity to climb those hills

So that our readers will be amused

Then at last we’re finally through

All the words are down and complete

There’s nothing really left to do

Except go to WordPress and publish the latest suite.

-aaa

Originally Published 05/08/2024

Wild Wednesdays 

The day begins

As the sun rises brightly

Start your day.

Morning meetings galore

Then you cook yourself lunch

Which is breakfast.

Lots of writing

A myriad of afternoon meetings

Nearly dinner time.

Homemade warm dinner

Two, five cheese toasted quesadillas

Then clean up.

Next get ready 

And go to game night

At my friend’s.

Then head home

Rest, and prepare for tomorrow

The day ends…

-AAA 11/06/2024

Election 

E mpowerment

L iberals

E lections everywhere  

C conservatives

T orries and Whigs

I ndependants

O ne winner in each of the races

N eeded votes counted 

-AAA 11/05/2024

Consumed and Tossed Asunder

Art by Melissa Daugherty
https://www.deviantart.com/madartwork42

You tear me apart with every word

You strip away my flesh and bone

This situation is quite absurd

You’re toxic treatment I can’t condone

You manipulated me and told lies

Many false words led me astray

Relationships dwindle when the love dies

The best parts of me were ripped away

I covered you in my blanket of love

You smothered me in your cruel hate

I brought you peace like a dove

And you left me to choke on my fate

Through great effort I lost all that weight

And I gained a lot of muscle

You never noticed until it was too late

Rendering moot much my hustle

A starving man, I was neglected

As your love was withheld from me

Instead of being protected

Your ugliness consumed me

I wanted to be your lover

Though you never really did care

Instead I got screwed over

And you were my cross to bear

So I had bid goodbye to you

Long before you left our sacral bed

Today I try to think the best of you

But worms of your memory burrow holes in my head… ~ ~ ~

-aaa

Originally Published 05/09/2024

Insomniac Theater

(Haiku Series)

The sandman has left.

Leaving me bitter despair.

How can I sleep now?

Counting sheep won’t work.

Even counting large numbers.

Something has to work.

Try a Benadryl.

They sometimes make me tired.

Ugh I’m still awake.

Try and edible.

Slow down my brain and relax.

Relaxed, but awake.

Try melatonin.

They help me get tired fast.

If they work, that is.

I’ll just clear my mind.

Not a thought whatsoever.

Mind is now empty.

Gently meditate.

See everything and nothing.

Then let it all pass.

Thinking of methods.

To end my insomnia.

Have made me sleepy.

I’m almost drifting.

Embracing dark nothingness.

Sleepy bliss awaits…

-aaa

Originally Published 05/08/2024

I Will…

I will walk 

I will run

Through the park

Toward the sun.

I will stand

I will sit 

Life is grand 

Cannot forget.

I will think 

I will speak

Without a blink

Reach the peak.

I will search

I will seek 

Not a lurch 

Or the meek.

I will mend 

I am through 

Most poems end 

This one will too…

-AAA 1/05/2024

Know Your Worth!

Many people have no rhyme or reason

They’re there for a week or maybe a season

You value their time but you’re just a choice

In the scheme of things you have no voice

You have strong feelings and you’re never late

Though you’re not their first choice for a date

As you wait, you chomp at the fetter

Wishing that they’d like you better

But nothing changes and you’re to blame

For staying an option and playing their games

Knowing they’re out with someone else

While you gather dust upon a shelf

You have much better things to do

And enjoying people who think so too

Be yourself and you’ll never finish last

Now discount your troubled past

Come back to a better living

Happy with your life of giving

Worry not, that the world has turned

Remember the lessons you have learned

Know you’re worth and don’t accept less

A future where you’re someone’s best

Take these words to heart and run

As now it’s your turn to have some fun…

-aaa

Originally Published 05/07/2024

Missy’s MAD Challenge #014

Every week, a creative prompt will be offered for you to unleash your imagination and artistic skills. 

You can share your response in the form of art or any creative expression that the prompt inspires.

There are no restrictions and no deadlines, so feel free to take your time and enjoy the creative process.

Remember to label your response with #missysmadchallenge.

Your challenge for the week

  • On the other side of the town

Fighting Over Politics

On the other side of town

Something bad is going down.

People, vigorously fighting 

With their politics inciting. 

It truly makes me just frown. 

-AAA 11/04/2024