Sunday, April 25, 2010

National Poetry Month Prompt #25 (From ReadWritePoem) - First Things First
        Keep an ear out for the first sentence (or even word) that is said to you after you read this prompt. (Poetic license: If the first few words are exceptionally boring, wait for the first uncommon or peculiar one.) Take that word/sentence — it could be “mango” or “exemplar” or “have you ever been to this Ethiopian restaurant?” — and build a poem around it. Maybe you have deep thoughts on mangoes or a narrative of heartbreak and spicy injera from the restaurant mentioned. Trust in fate.

 
Battle of Wills
 
Silence has replaced the din
Of everyday living.
Darkness has silenced the light.
The clock ticks on.
The dog grumbles as he rolls over.
The prince snores –
a cacophony of night noise
plays on.
An intruder waits, silently,
to attack.
Muscles twitch, then seize…
Burning tendrils race to grip extremities,
laughing at over-the-counter remedies…
He begs for the treasure…
Take me on vacation…
I’ll still be here,
You just won’t care.
Come on…you know
You want to!
I resist…
Oblivion unwanted.
He taunts me; his will is strong.
Silent screaming continues.
I arise – not wanting to disturb the prince.
I creep down the hallway
in darkness.
Our battle of wills continues.
Time passes slowly.
“Come back to bed, baby!”
Battle din masked his arrival.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” I sigh.
He takes my hand
and leads me back.
“It’s OK…It will all be OK….
As long as we’re together.”
His warmth quiets the intruder
As I melt into his arms.
I sleep.

©Bridget Nutting, 2010

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