Author: poetryfest

Submit your Poetry to the Festival. Three Options: 1) To post. 2) To have performed by an actor 3) To be made into a film.

Read Poem: Tragedy and Triumph, by Kate Murphy

How much longer can I endure this pain locked and loaded with the chambers full of shame

How could you do this, take my innocence away

You brought darkness to my life causing great chaos and disarray

You were supposed to be my protector and forever keep my safety in mind

I’ve been so violated and scarred my sense of self is basically blind

You slowly built a prison around me

One where escape was unlikely

You convinced me that it was because you loved me

But your idea of love caused me to live in a huge amount of fear at all times

Consumed by it, paralyzed by it, controlled by it, often spinning me into a wild fit.

The rage that occupies my mind, body, and soul

Caused me to live a life so out of control

I never thought I would break out of your prison of hell

It was if you had me under some sadistic spell

You convinced me that no one would ever love me, care for me, accept me- that once they got to know me they would flee

But you were wrong

I am not weak I am strong

Like the trees around me that bend and sway my will does the same

It dances with the sorrow that follows me that consumes me but it does not break me.

Your storms that wreck havoc do not destroy everything but the darkness they create make it an unforgiving task when looking for the beauty

The beauty of love, the beauty of compassion, the beauty of connection

When the darkness gives everything a place to hide its as if the pain is all that exists

But my will to carry on to keep fighting this battle is still with me

You have pushed me to the limit time and time again but I push back harder

Many nights I have sat on the edge of my bed my face moist from the tears streaming down, my body shaking from the fear that this will never end

But the fog lifts at some point and the beauty can be seen and felt once again

The cool damp floor that I continue to dance my way across gives a strong foundation for everything to build upon

The darkness and pain I endure give me gratitude for when the light shines through

I will fight this war to the end, I will weather the storms, I will move forward again and again.

I am a survivor

-Kate Murphy

Read Poem: Keeping Up With You, by Annie Thomas

How well you laugh away my fears
Of growing old.

There is no time for getting stale
Because you nudge me ’round to see
The joys of breathing out,
So breathing in will come faster
And always more delicious.

Now, I seek out the shade:
Puff out steam, cherish the cold
I bring it home to you
Just to watch your toes curl up.

My shopping list for you, dear friend
Gets filled up with clichés so fast
I don’t know what to write to you
That you’d read without just slipping your glasses
Further down your nose
And wondering was this really
Addressed to you.

So I sing you the same few jingles
Varying only the notes and gusto
About how I truly fall more
In love with you each day
And tack on some hoorays and hugs
Repeating that I really mean it

Feeling luckier and luckier every squeeze
And more and more at home.

Genre: Sad, growing older, content.