Category: poetry

Imperfect Perfection 

Anthony5 Comments

Such an imperfect me 

Far from perfect as can be.

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In conformity, left out in the cold

Feeling as weird as being told.

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Based on harsh words being said 

Gaze in mirrors for a second head.

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Wanting only to belong 

Rather than being wrong.

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Trying to be a social butterfly 

Was truly just a sad little lie.

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Feeling too much is the worst 

Being both a gift and curse.

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Many lie only when their lips move 

Words of deception never soothe.

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Use your gut ditch your pride 

Then you’ll know who’s on your side.

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Be odd, out of step with the world

They’re strait-laced, while you’re curled.

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At days end, you only have you

And self love, is the best thing to do.

-AAA 08/27/2024

Drummers Feel The Beat 

Anthony10 Comments

Playing the skins is never quite easy

Much dexterity is required

That’s why drummers are never cheesy.

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They’re far more respected and admired

Despite the difficulty under which they play

At the end of the set they are often tired.

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Each time they play, it’s a different way 

That’s how we create our licks 

Practicing both night and day. 

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Crafting ad libs and other tricks

In the arsenal of skills

Using two fine wooden sticks.

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The kits aren’t cheap and fetch high bills

Why many a drummer doesn’t have a set 

Always keeping the beat with thrills.

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Leaving their best at each gig without regret

Pouring it all into every song

Strong forearms are the safest bet.

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Ask any percussionist if I’m wrong

Giving their all to preserve the beat

Sitting in back as the guitarists throng.

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Learning anew from all we meet

Ever expanding the repertoire

Until our skillsets are complete

Hauling our gear in a van or car…

-AAA 08/27/2024

The High Rope Walker

Anthony6 Comments

The crowd watched in breathless silence as the walker made his way across.

It was a gale, twenty-five mile an hour wind which is even stronger at his locale.

As he stands tenderly on a small wire affixed between two skyscrapers more than seventy-five stories high, each.

–

In his hands, a wooden stick used for balance it’s nearly twenty feet long.

This stands as his sole assistance against the wind and his minuscule walkway.

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Underneath him, nothing but a large experiment in gravity, should he fall the 800 plus feet to the cold asphalt below…

-AAA 08/27/2024

We Are ALL Enough 

Anthony5 Comments

Who cares if they stare

Just be you, and dare

As long as you’re aware

Look inside, the answer’s there 

Empathy’s, cross to bear 

Knowing life is far from fair

Alive, because you care

There’s plenty of love to spare

And generosity to share…

-AAA 08/27/2024

My Mountain Stream 

Anthony2 Comments

Stand near a stream 

Watch the waters gleam.

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Rippling by 

Babbling sighs.

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Soft soil gently holds bare feet 

Along with dampness and peat.

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Here up high the scents never hurt 

I even enjoy the mountain dirt.

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Gentle breeze

Swaying pine trees.

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A mild wind suggestion

Adds to this gorgeous procession.

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The sun warms you all about 

From the inside and out.

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The waters, ice cold to the touch 

As the snowmelt does this much.

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Crisp, clear, and crystal clean

Juxtaposed to waters of home, quite obscene.

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A gull flies by, a gentle wish 

To spot the largest swimming fish.

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The sky is blue with no rain in sight 

This day, my little refuge, until a night..

-AAA 08/27/2024

No Tell Motels Say A lot 

Anthony6 Comments

All no tell motels have a lot to say

Given the forbidden lovers visiting each day.

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Passions quenched and desires thrilled

At cost of jilted whose needs aren’t fulfilled.

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Paid in cash checked in as “smith”

Anonymity is all they can work with.

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Dreams come true or nightmares 

Depending on who really cares.

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Cheap linens and rubber sheets 

Make this atmosphere complete.

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Finger size bottles of liquor litter the rooms

Along with a stale scent of spent perfumes.

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All of the bedding is filthy too 

With all the nasties these people do.

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So after you check in and before resting your head 

Place thick plastic on the pillows and bed…

-AAA 08/24/2024

Unicorn Challenge 23rd August

Anthony15 Comments

A magical new weekly writing opportunity from Jenne Gray and C. E. Ayr.

The Unicorn Challenge-23/08/24

The rules are:

Maximum of 250 words.

Inspired by photo prompt below.

That’s it.

One Lone Goalie Stands Fast

Standing alone on the damp green turf.

Nighttime arrives as the steady darkness is abated only by the stadiums lights.

A large crowd situated around these proceedings.

The dampness makes the warm evening humid, adding to the tension of the spectacle unfolding.

Near the lights, thousands of small dancing things are drawn and strewn about. 

Oddly (for the figure standing on the field) the strong scent of popcorn, nachos, and hotdogs fills the air.

The spectators enjoy a veritable orgy of outrageously priced junk food.

Consumed with an almost fierce desperation as they root for their favorite team.

Athletes kick and chase a hexagonal patterned ball up and down the field.

For the moment, he lets out a sigh of relief as his counterpart defends a small patch of earth. 

This respite will be short lived as already the  ball has passed midfield and is heading towards his goal. 

Nothing will get through.

He will dive and land horribly to assure a nil score for his opponents. 

A night in the life of a goalie…

-AAA 08/23/2024

176 words:

QOTD: Favorite Recipes

Anthony16 Comments

What’s your favorite recipe?

ANT’S DAILY BRUNCH

I eat this nearly every day, it’s a very hearty breakfast that helps me start out my day right. It’s a pretty large meal and serves as breakfast and lunch for me. Definitely, you can adjust the ingredients for a larger or smaller serving size or for multiple people.

INGREDIENTS:

One cup of cremini mushrooms

1/4 cup of diced white or red onions

1/4 cup of pickled jalapeños

3 large eggs

2 tbs of sriracha 

2 tsp’s of parmigiana cheese 

1 tsp of ricotta cheese 

4 dashes of Tabasco

One handful of finely graded Italian cheese blend.

3 tbs of course black pepper

3 tbs of garlic powder

3 tbs of umami seasoning

2 slices of cracked wheat sourdough

6 ounces of V8 spicy 

1 slightly ripened medium banana 

16 oz white monster energy zero carb

1 2 Oz orange EmergenC packet

2 tsp of salted butter

2 tsp of European style butter 

Veggies: 

Combine the mushrooms, jalapeños, and diced onions in a bowl and set aside. 

Eggs (scramble):

Break three large eggs in a bowl, add 1 tsp’s of: course black pepper, umami seasoning, and garlic powder. Next add 2tbs of sriracha (or more). Finally add, 1 tsp of ricotta cheese. Whip mixture with a fork until all ingredients are combined well, then set aside. 

Toast:

Cut a large slice of cracked wheat sourdough bread in half and place in toaster, do not toast until the eggs are nearly done!!

Beverages:

One 6 oz glass of f V8 spicy

To a 16 Oz glass of white monster energy zero carb, one EmergenC packet. 

Note: you can have any beverage you like instead of mine.

Fruit:

Peel one medium sized banana and place on small plate.

PREPARATION

Place 2 tsp’s of salted butter in a medium skillet, under high then medium heat. 

When butter is melted, add the bowl of veggies you prepared earlier. 

Make sure everything is coated in the butter and sauté everything.

Add seasonings to the vegetables, assuring you mix them a lot (1 tsp of: course black pepper, umami seasoning, and garlic powder). 

Add 3-4 dashes of Tabasco sauce to the veggies and keto mixing. 

When the onions become translucent and caramelized, add the egg mixture and stir it in with the veggies.

Then add one handful of Italian cheese blend and spread it over the top of the veggie/egg mixture. 

Turn up the stove to high heat.

Put the toast in the toaster.

Stir cheese/egg/veggie mixture until all eggs are cooked and the cheese melted. 

Then transfer to a plate. 

Take out toast and liberally butter with 2 tsp’s of European style butter and place on small plate along with peeled banana.

Lastly enjoy!!! if you don’t like spicy food, you can always take out the Sriracha jalapeños and Tabasco and you can definitely add more veggies if you like like bell peppers or tomatoes or anything else. I do the cleanup as I make this meal so as I’m finished and ready to eat it, everything is put away and cleaned up and I have nothing to do but enjoy, and you hope you do as well.  

-aaa