VSS365 Inspiration 1

12/29/2020 - 1/2/2021

At the end of December I began trying to write poetry. I started following a hashtag on Twitter, #vss365. Everyday a new word was chosen, and the community was encouraged to create a verse or short story segment using that word. There are many variations on this theme, I have seen artwork, computer graphics, and many other creations inspired by these single word prompts.

This blog series will contain my verses; the original and the revamped verse, using the daily word as the title. I hope my words encourage you to create as well.

Aspire

Original 12/29/2020

Aspiration leads to fear; Speaking the thoughts we hold most dear.

If only we could let them free; Who knows what our life could be.

Fear of failure is a wall; Climbing, growing, taller than tall.

Sharing with others lets us see; Beyond to the beauty and majesty.

New version

Aspirations lead to fear;

Speaking dreams we want to hear.

If only we could let them free;

But no one knows what life could be.

Fear of failure is a wall;

Climbing, growing, taller than all.

Working with others lets us see;

Beyond to the beauty and majesty.

Awaiting us when fear is relieved;

A meadow, blanketed, covered in seed.

Each seed a hope, a dream, a flower.

Filling us all with love and power.

Power to save, power to fight;

Power to show only what’s right.

My take:

Sharing dreams makes them real, and reachable. It’s terrifying. In my mind failure is a thorny briar wall, adding new growth every time I doubt myself. Working to get over the wall with others, helps everyone reach the meadow of hope. Only hope for a better future can fill us with the love needed to fight for it.

Poetess

Original 12/30/2020

I may not be a poetess, In fact my words are quite a mess.

Images flash and images flare. How come I can’t share?

I am trying to expand, My disjointed words to your outstretched hand.

New version - Note to Self

I may not be a poetess,

In fact my words are quite a mess.

Images flash and images flame.

Why does sharing bring the shame?

I am only trying to expel,

My disjointed words. Can’t you tell?

When my mind is racing fast,

Words all fade into the past.

Searching for words, only blankness occurs

I can’t be saved by the kitty’s purrs.

Write, and write, and write some more.

Tell your story, let it roar.

Nothing should ever hold you back.

Not even yourself. Give me no flack.

I know this, and you do too.

The only one holding you back,

Is you.

My take:

This poem went from teasing myself for trying something new, to a reaffirmation of what I know I can do. The new title came after I finished the rewrite. Note to Self reminds me that I can do what I put my mind to, and it will turn out good.

Anew

Original 12/31/2020

I love to wake to a day anew, As long as I spend every minute with you.

Every morning we have a chance, To laugh and play, to run and dance.

And when day turns to night, Holding you brings back the light.

When we face the world together, We can’t be stopped by wind or weather.

Hold me tight, hold me close. Let me know you love me most.

New Version

I love to wake each day anew

As long as I spend them with you.

Every morning we have a chance,

To laugh and play, to run and dance.

And when the day turns into night

Holding you brings back the light.

When we face the world together,

We can’t be stopped by wind or weather.

You are mine, and I am yours

Fight the battles, open new doors

Together we will find a home,

Where hatred dies, and new love is born.

Hold me tight, hold me close.

Our love won’t die, it shines the most.

From mountain top to hidden vale,

Together we will shout our tale.

Of a love that is true and never fails,

No matter what the future entails.

My take:

By the time I was done writing the original version, I knew this poem was for my husband. By adding the extra lines in the new version, I’m, in a way, reiterating my wedding vows. We’ll be together no matter what.

Verklempt

Original 1/1/2021

My past has been so verklempt, I saw myself with contempt

What happened to the girl I used to be? I was able to run, I was finally free.

A diagnosis changed my life, The answer to my pain is not a knife.

Only hard work and therapy Can give me the strength to be me.

New Version - Where Have I Gone?

My past has been so verklempt

I have only seen myself with contempt.

What happened to the girl I used to know

I ran, I danced, I went with the flow.

But then the pain was overwhelming

Somedays I felt my life was ending.

A new diagnosis changed my life

To stop the pain I don’t need a knife.

Only hard work and therapy,

Can make me who I need to be.

I may not be the same as before,

But now, atleast, I know more.

My take:

This word threw me for a loop. It’s not a word I come across often, and it is very difficult to rhyme. This poem reminds me of the darkness in my past, the lack of understanding, the not knowing why I was in so much pain. My EDS diagnosis at least lets me have a reason why the pain is constant. With a physical therapy regimen I will hopefully be able to regain a portion of my prior independence some day. Until then, I will continue with what I can do, and push myself to do more.

Velociraptor

Original 1/2/2021

With long nails and teeth that shine in the night, The velociraptor brings the fright.

Faster than me, faster than you, They hunt in a pack. I’m telling it true

How do I know this is the way? I’ve been to the past, I’ve seen them play.

New version

With long sharp nails, and teeth that gleam in the night Velociraptor, a dinosaur, brings on the fright.

Faster than you, faster than me.

They hunt as a pack, you can’t get free.

How do I know this is the way?

I’ve been to the past, I’ve watched them hunt prey.

Curiosity killed the cat,

My own future may be just that.

I have always tried to find,

Different knowledge to fill my mind.

Finding a lizard named for thunder

Fills my eyes with awestruck wonder.

T-rex did something most distressing;

He crushed my time machine, depressing.

Now I’m stuck here in the past

Bring me back, please make it fast!

My take:

I don’t know who is coming up with these words, but they are making it difficult. I think they’re stuck on the ‘V’ section in the dictionary. I like the way this one turned out, although there are still a few problems with the pace of the poem.

Final thoughts:

This entire experience has been delightful. I haven’t played around with poetry since middle school. Most of the rules have disappeared from my brain. I hope these poems gave you some inspiration, either to write one yourself, or to create in another way. A world without art is a bland and depressing place. Through words and images we can enter new worlds and open our minds to new ideas.

Keep reading, keep learning, keep doing. Have a great 2021, and I’ll be back next monday with more vss365.

The pictures in this blog are sourced through the Wix website.