UNCLE, THIS IS WAR PAINT, Poetry by Kimberly Cruz-Alvarado

I.
I am a girl
I am a daughter of fire
I am made of explosions and stardust
My mind is made of galaxies
My bloodstream is made out of sun rays
My body is electricity

Genre: inspirational and feminist

Uncle, this is war paint
by Kimberly Cruz-Alvarado

“I.
I am a girl
I am a daughter of fire
I am made of explosions and stardust
My mind is made of galaxies
My bloodstream is made out of sun rays
My body is electricity

II.
In fairy tales, I am the princess who saves herself
I melted my gold crown into a sword
The one I used to slay the dragon outside my tower
I radiate power

III.
You think you can tame me?
You think I am a princess?
No, honey, I am a queen and I am the king
Remember, that I gave you everything.

IV.
Your mother bore you into this life
She carried and nurtured you to good health
Your father busted a nut and left her
How dare you
Treat women as if they are beneath you.

V.
I think what is often misunderstood is how both genders are equal
Women were not born with enough testosterone to equal a man’s physical strength
Men were not born with enough estrogen to equal a woman’s endurance of physical pain
Both genders possess the equal amount of strengths and weaknesses
And vary between the given situation

VI.
When I told my classroom in 2nd grade that I wanted to be a firefighter everyone laughed
I went home and cried because all I wanted to do was save lives
My mother held me close and whispered magic
She said, “Mi amor, you can be anything.”
And still to this day, I have to replay her words because I am terrified of forgetting it
Because there are moments in my life where I forget that being female should never hold me back
That despite the burden my gender has carried for centuries, we have always persevered
That being female does not make me weak.

VII.
When you command me to accept that my purpose is to cater to the men in our family
You are telling me that my life is not mine
You are telling me that all this potential I have on the tips of my fingers are a waste
You are telling me that I am not human
That my dreams will only be dreams
But did you know that you can kill the dreamer, but you cannot kill the dream
You cannot kill my dreams
And I am not sorry when I defy you
You cannot burn me with your lightning bolts
You cannot silence me with your thunderstorms
This should not be war
But I have never been afraid to fight for what is right”

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Deadline: FREE POETRY Festival – Get your poem made into a MOVIE and seen by 1000s. Three options to submit:
http://www.wildsound.ca/poetrycontest.html

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C, Poem by Natalie Henderson

she was the kind of girl people wrote poetry about. wild heart , wild soul , wild hair. she couldn’t be tamed. she shifted the universe. the sun followed her smile and the moon was slave to her pain. she wanted to be nothing but free , leaving her mark on everything and everyone she touched. she commanded attention wherever she went , a vibrant rose with more thorns than she should have. she had the intensity of a waterfall , flowing with rage and demanding to be heard.

Genre: Inspiration, Light, Art

C by Natalie Henderson

she was the kind of girl people wrote poetry about. wild heart , wild soul , wild hair. she couldn’t be tamed. she shifted the universe. the sun followed her smile and the moon was slave to her pain. she wanted to be nothing but free , leaving her mark on everything and everyone she touched. she commanded attention wherever she went , a vibrant rose with more thorns than she should have. she had the intensity of a waterfall , flowing with rage and demanding to be heard.

she was the kind of girl people wrote poetry about. soft heart , soft love , soft soul. she radiated every beautiful color in the spectrum. blues , pinks , greens , and indigos. her bones had flowers growing from them , planting seeds in the ground with every step. she was the manifestation of everything she found beautiful. her love lived infinitely in the stars.

she was the kind of girl that people wrote poetry about. so destructively damaged and so beautifully broken. she could make the brightest of days dark , and the darkest of days light. she lived in the moment. breaking herself on purpose to remember how to appreciate the sun when it came back. you couldn’t hold on to her. you couldn’t contain her. she is poetry.

n.h

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To my future significant other, Poem by Morgan Fasanelli

if we ever actually end up finding each other

i hope that, whoever you are – you love me as much as i hope i love you

and i hope that you hate snow, but you’ll appreciate that i love it

you’ll let me shovel alone because you know i don’t mind being alone

you’ll just have coffee ready for me when i come inside

Genre: sad, romantic, hopeful, love

To my future significant other by Morgan Fasanelli

if we ever actually end up finding each other

i hope that, whoever you are – you love me as much as i hope i love you

and i hope that you hate snow, but you’ll appreciate that i love it

you’ll let me shovel alone because you know i don’t mind being alone

you’ll just have coffee ready for me when i come inside

and i hope you know that when i get sad, which i will, it probably won’t be you

and i hope you’ll let me spew out my dramatic thoughts and feelings and i hope you’ll be okay with the fact that i don’t need you to tell me it’s okay, i just need you to let me tell you what’s on my mind

I hope that you have these idiosyncrasies about yourself because let me tell you, i notice everything

and i will notice if you pull the cuffs of your sleeves when you’re uncomfortable because it’s a natural reflex from grade school when someone would say something about what used to be a touchy subject for you, even though the scars are almost fully faded

And i hope that you’ll understand that i’m sorry for everything all the time, and that i’m really trying not to be

And i hope that you have lots of little stories that you remember from your past that you’re comfortable sharing with me

but most of all i hope you don’t fit every detail i just said

because that is to say that i saw you coming, and i saw us coming

and i don’t want to see this coming

i want to be so completely blindsided by your love that it knocks the air right out of my lungs

and i hope that, whoever you are – you love me as much as i hope i love you

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HOW LONG IS FOREVER, Poetry by Eden P. Orbista

It is great to know the person I admired in my teens
Without him knowing that he was my first love way back then
After 43 years of being apart, our path crossed again
Here we are seemed that we’ve known each other since.

Genre: Relationship, Love, Rhyme

HOW LONG IS FOREVER by Eden P. Orbista

It is great to know the person I admired in my teens
Without him knowing that he was my first love way back then
After 43 years of being apart, our path crossed again
Here we are seemed that we’ve known each other since.

Frozen in time, amazing but, all i saw was YOU
The way you were clad in high school uniform,
Boy..Just like the first time i set my eyes on you
Hard to believe but, it is happening, it’s true.

Our candid moments when we’re on the phone
Took us to heights only you and I can fathom
Gosh! We laughed and kidded like teenagers do
Anything we discussed, we’re enlightened too.

I’ve kept you in my heart, there was always a room for you
I felt it that someday we’ve got to share this love, I knew
The love i have long waited for, now it is coming true
Now you’re here to keep this flame in my heart burning, anew.

All these years i consoled my heart, always
Of your thoughts and of forever
It’s scary though to think, …. Yes but, ……how long is forever?
My heart and my mind can’t grasp for the right answer
Now i know that no matter how long it takes,
True love is always worth the wait.

Deep in my heart, i knew this day will come
We’ll hold each other in passionate kiss, in tight embrace
When before my heart was filled with doubts and fears
Now my heart holds a promise and joy that forever is no longer….
Than a heartbeat away, …….a thread of breath to bear.

My first love is now a realization of my true love
Amazing but, this is how fate played on us
Not knowing where we were in the past forty three years,
Yet fate brought us together to stop the tears i shed all these years
The waiting and the longing has came to end, coz forever dictates…..
That no matter how long it takes, true love is always worth the w

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THE PEAR, Poetry by Patrick D. Peay

Let me plant my bitter seed, and we can make a better breed

They’ll know not to complain about the rain

The rain is like good therapy

It is food for the pear tree

So we can live a life that is carefree

There is no partridge in this tree

Genre: Maniacal Spoken Word

THE PEAR by Patrick D. Peay

While I sit in my lair with a painting of a pear

I sit and stare off into thin air and wonder why life isn’t fair

I wouldn’t dare compare my flare to that of another player

I’m just a man in his lair with a painting of a pear

I swear I won’t get stressed out and pull out all my hair

These burdens I bear make me aware that people like me are rare

I’m just a man in his lair with a painting of a pear

I’m not square, so don’t give me that glare

It’s not like I’m running for mayor

I’ve got a prayer my soul is spared

I’m not a hero, but don’t say I didn’t care

I’m just a man in his lair with a painting of a pear

 

Let me plant my bitter seed, and we can make a better breed

They’ll know not to complain about the rain

The rain is like good therapy

It is food for the pear tree

So we can live a life that is carefree

There is no partridge in this tree

This isn’t for the industry

The fruits of my loom are for my enemies

I’m just a man in his lair with a painting of a pear

There’s something on my mind I would like to share

This is not a Facebook status

This could come without practice

Practice, we’re talking about practice, practice

Muscle memory should make this automatic

Why not burn to the core like acid that is muriatic

The blood I shed is hydrochloric

There should be a warning for it

There’s passion in my veins, I can’t ignore it

I seek to do something that is historic

I’m just a man in his lair with a painting of a pear

Sometimes I give myself quite a scare

 

That’s right sometimes I scare myself, but I’ve learned to prepare myself

There will always be a call when you need my help

So just keep picking at my pears

Soon enough the traps I’ve set will ensnare

Then you will be the one that’s in despair

I’m just a man in his lair with a painting of a pear

I deal with shades that are fifty times grayer

 

 

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Read NEW Poetry from all over the world

Submit your Poetry to the Festival. Three option to submit.
https://festivalforpoetry.com/

Read NEW Poetry from all over the world:

Submit your Poetry to the Festival. Three option to submit.

FREE POETRY CONTEST – Deadline TODAY

Read NEW Poetry from all over the world:

WAGNER THE LIGHT GUY, by Chenda Cox
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/27/wagner-the-light-guy-poetry-by-chenda-cox/

GABBY’S STORY, by MS Rockett

Gabby’s Story, Poetry by Ms. Rockett

THE DESTITUTE DEMOCRACY, by Steve Miller

The Destitute Democracy, Poetry by Steve Miller

IT’S ONLY RIGHT, by Drew Price

​​​​​​It’s Only Right, Poetry by Drew Price

A MOMENT, by Oyinkan Agboola

A MOMENT, Poetry by Oyinkan Agboola

SLEIGH, by Brian Anthony Hardie

SLEIGH, Poetry by Brian Anthony Hardie

NOT EVERYONE, by Pyja Jurid Pyxaz

Not everyone, Poetry by Pyja Jurid (pyxaz)

THE NIGHT WE FELL IN LOVE, by Lari G.

The night we fell in love, Poetry by Lari G

WORD FROM EMMANUEL, by Emmanuel Griggs

Words from Emmanuel, Poetry by Emmanuel Griggs

SURVIVAL, by Nwoko Alexandre

SURVIVAL, Poetry by Nwoko Alexandre

YOU’RE NOT THE BOX OF ME, by Cindi Walton

You’re Not the Boss of Me!, Poetry by Cindi Walton

WHY CAN’T I MOVE, by Tierra Martin

Why can’t I move?, Poetry by Tierra Martin

 

You’re Not the Boss of Me!, Poetry by Cindi Walton

“You’re not the boss of me!” the kindergartner said
When his mommy told him, “Son, now it’s time for bed!”
“Wait till I turn 18, I’ll do just as I please”
Said the boy to his father as he took away his keys
“I’m 21 and DRINK; stop me if you dare!”

Genre: Family

You’re Not the Boss of Me!By Cindi Walton

“You’re not the boss of me!” the kindergartner said
When his mommy told him, “Son, now it’s time for bed!”
“Wait till I turn 18, I’ll do just as I please”
Said the boy to his father as he took away his keys
“I’m 21 and DRINK; stop me if you dare!”
His folks were concerned, but he didn’t really care
College came and went, and a job he did procure
Found a pretty brunette and asked to marry her
Bought a house in “Newville” where everything was new
The boss of his own destiny, to do as he would do
The years went by and children came, one, then two, then three
He had it all, life was grand, and this was his decree
“Look Mom and Dad” I did succeed, I knew it all along
You didn’t have to ride my butt and tell me right from wrong!”
The seasons changed, his kids grew up and then they started school
“You’re not our boss!” his children cried, he knew he’d been a fool
He saw now as a parent sees, through eyes just like his own
He knew he had a call to make, pulling out his phone
And when his parents answered, he said between his tears
You’re the “best boss” a kid could have; I thank you for the years
You never walked away and let me run amuck
The things you meant to teach, I DO BELIEVE they’ve stuck
Until we are a parent and see what parents’ see
We never can appreciate just how we came to be
Thank you to my Mom and Dad, who led, and did not fold
And made me see the value of ….Do as you are told!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Planting Seeds – Poetry Reading by Abu B Rafique

There are multiple themes that I try to touch on in my poem, love, wanderlust, youth, memory, but the biggest one is how people affect others. Everyone leaves some sort of an imprint on someone else, I like trying to look at how that can influence where people go from there and how they are as people afterwards.

Watch the Poetry Reading – PLANTING SEEDS

Poetry performed by actor Amaka Umeh

Get to know Abu B. Rafique

1) What is the theme of your poem?

There are multiple themes that I try to touch on in my poem, love, wanderlust, youth, memory, but the biggest one is how people affect others. Everyone leaves some sort of an imprint on someone else, I like trying to look at how that can influence where people go from there and how they are as people afterwards.

2) How would you like people to respond when they read or watch your poetry reading?

Preferably in a good way, I’d be a little put off if someone absolutely hated me or something. But the fact that they react is the most important thing no reaction would just make me feel like I did nothing with my words.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

Since I was six years old. The first one I remember writing was about chicks. It’s the definitive work of a generation honestly.

4) Do you have a favorite poet?

That’s a hard one. If you threw together William Carlos Williams, Sylvia Plath, Rumi, and Allen Ginsberg, that’d probably be my favorite poet.

5) What influenced you to submit to the festival and have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

The chance to have another platform to share my work with people.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

Yes. I’ve got four books out actually, “Leave the Rice on the Windowsill (short story collection),” “Let’s Go Wandering (poetry collection),” “The Other Side of it All (more short stories),” and “The Chaotic Caffeine Fueled Collection (short stories and poetry).”

7) What is your passion in life?

Trying to connect through my writing.

Watch the 2015 Poetry Festival winner.

The 2015 Poetry Festival winner.

Poetry by Jane Gill-Wilson

Narrated by Steve Rizzo

Editing and Visual Design by Yujin Song

Produced by Matthew Toffolo

Paris – The Atrocity 13th November 2015 by Jane Gill-Wilson

The 2015 Poetry Festival winner.

Poetry by Jane Gill-Wilson

Narrated by Steve Rizzo

Editing and Visual Design by Yujin Song

Produced by Matthew Toffolo

Read NEW Poetry from new poets from around the world

Read NEW Poetry from new poets from around the world

MESS, by Damilola K. Fashola

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/22/mess-poetry-by-damilola-k-fashola/

TANGENT, by Rebekah Mambiar

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/22/tangent-poetry-by-rebekah-mambiar/

VAIN I AM, A.D. Largie

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/22/vain-i-am-poetry-by-a-d-largie/

THOUGHT NAZIS, by Benzuko

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/22/thought-nazis-poetry-by-benzuko/

BE THE LIGHT, by Yusef Vance

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/22/be-the-light-poetry-by-yusef-vance/

MY COMPASS, by Esmeralda

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/23/my-compass-poetry-by-esmeralda-hernandez/

JAHH THE POET, by Hooper Simba

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/23/jahh-the-poet-poetry-by-hooper-simba/

 

 

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