PAD Prompt: Power
Poetic Form: Stornello
“Power Over Me”
Like the cold wind during a December storm,
you fill the spaces between my bones, can’t warm
my hands or my breath while caught in your dark swarm.
I shield my eyes against the hail of regret.
The driveway a winter percussion duet
with the cement of choices I can’t forget.
This poem is presented in its rough draft form for the PAD 2022 challenge and will be revised.
PAD Prompt: Breaking
Poetic Form: Rondine
“Caught in a Breakdown”
Caught in a breakdown, everything goes gray
including the sun as it warms others
as they share the joy of living. Mothers
waiting at the bottom of slides. Driveways
decorated with chalk. Laughter of play
becomes a muffled hum, like ears covered.
Caught in a breakdown.
Even though I know the truth, I misplay
the moment, nothing can lift the cover
off of my heart. Emptiness a brother
to the retching sadness that always stays.
Caught in a breakdown.
