#competition
Competition who really can see
and not lose to themselves,
Can't chasing desires be like
holding a broken shield
that is slowly decaying,
In whatever battle
inside can be the will to strive,
and the will to lose grasp of and give in to themselves,
The day will come where the human
race will be recompensed and
accounted for such can seem so
distant yet is so close this is
Yawm al Qiyamah
4d ago
May 30, 2026 at 5:50 AM UTC
The desire to have our poem in the hierarchy
of the covenant first second and third spots
Ultimately, the top five for the month and
To rain Supreme the best poem of the year
A lofty goal all accolades voted by your peers
Achieving success is eupeptic
The shadow of your last win is where
Trepidation begins. Wanting to do it again,
Wanting more When is it enough?
Competition does not germinate commodity
Growing resentment divides in different ways
It starts off innocent yet bubbles festering inside
A little friendly competition never hurt anyone
But Do you give sparkles to your opponents?
Knowing that would put them ahead of you?
It’s different if you don’t have steak in the game
However, you must CHOOSE who to help WIN
It hurts Watching some of your best work
Crash and Burn near the bottom of the board
head held high chipped OFF my shoulder
Start again, I don’t write for the masses or do I
Dichotomy My fellow poets, I call friends
Green with envy licking wounds.mind turning
It sticks in my craw Who and Why do I write
Second-guessing my ability as a poet is hard
I know I’m not the only one that feels this way
Knocks me down a peg or two arrogant pride
Wild ride Difficult to accept Bruised EGO in tact
I eat humble pie why do I put myself through it?
It’s principles I write subjects that are taboo
Perhaps rather harsh if you really knew
When you’re reading it,it’s also reading you
I have a conviction Certain poems had to be said
Comment “you’re very brave saying it out loud”
I never gave any thought I just wrote it.
Sentiment out in the open, my Guff no longer full
First, I have to set my priorities in order
The strategy of winning a work of art
This poem is a Sestina
(6) six line stanzas 36 lines
Plus a three line envoy
Total poem 39 lines
Footnotes
In College the use of idioms Faux paws were not acceptable poetry and look upon as bad form.
However these seem so apropos I couldn’t resist the little twist to make a point. Since we believe in anything goes, I decided to break the rule.
Apr 29
Apr 29, 2026 at 3:22 AM UTC
Sacrifices for
success lie around the trees:
jerseys and jackets.
Feb 25
Feb 25, 2026 at 4:17 AM UTC
i pry
from my little dream
of being
one of the punished poverty
of scraping to class
working dull hours
bowled over
in admiration of the royalty
a stoop to the sweat of servitude
from this little dream
i regurgitate
Feb 5
Feb 5, 2026 at 8:02 AM UTC
egg of the eye eye of the ****
dry museum of scope
invades the view
promises that you fulfil the box
mausoleum art clock
spiritual prop to revolve and indulge
in the great pasty worship of the evolving dead
they knew it all (the pallid dead)
the young ignored their trojan pleas
and sewed them
(prematurely) into their sleeping bags
retired
their hands wedged
at their genitals
the dead took the circumcision of their
authority quietly
dry blind egg timer
automaton
wind it up and lust it draw you in
innards soothsay and you're promoted
doted gore upon the alter
diffusing your future
Feb 8
Feb 8, 2026 at 1:44 PM UTC
World is getting estranged, World is getting stranger.
Overall conflict blushes, survival is requisite.
I am just standing in the shadows of competition, and crying.
The populace is grinning and taunting, and saying bygones.
A circus of jokers is getting bigger and bigger, to infinity.
Nov 17, 2025
Nov 17, 2025 at 3:06 PM UTC
slammed down with a smirk, and
a counter; smile turned scowl
as I get checkmated. Some days it's
the rush of victory, feeling higher
than the sun itself, and some days its
the sigh and reluctant handshake of
defeat. It never mattered the outcome;
what mattered were the people, the place
the energy of a bunch of nerds who love
that same rush we all get from another
hand, another card, another game.
"Let's duel!"
Sep 28, 2025
Sep 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM UTC
When my blood soaks the paper while writing,
Still my results keep denying.
When my health keeps falling for marks on a sheet,
Still they say , “You didn’t compete.”
When my eyes says what's sleep,
But still studying for the promises I keep.
When effort becomes my only living
Still they say , "you aren't studying."
When medals are hung on someone’s name,
Where my scars go unheard, without fame.
When tears blur the formulas on the page,
Still they say — “Don’t cry, just engage.”
When silence screams louder than praise,
And I'm trapped in endless days.
Still, the world looks away with pride,
Naming me failure , while laughing inside.
Jul 25, 2025
Jul 25, 2025 at 10:16 PM UTC
Roses be roses—
no thorns,
no pain,
only pleasure
leaving sweet sensation
on soul and skin.
Fire be fire—
no burn,
no scars,
just remolded,
not to ashes,
but to worth.
Awakening—
realizing
that once I breathe,
and once it ceases,
I embalm to forever.
Not in toil
of envy
or blind admiration
as the world spins on.
In your space,
in your place,
you will shine
and outshine—
like the dawning
of a summer day.
In your voice,
in your sound,
you will rise
and outrise—
like a satellite
in orbit.
May 17, 2025
May 17, 2025 at 1:23 AM UTC
The soft winds of a fall night
Whisper hope to me
The wind gently dances
With the feathers of my plume
It will be alright
Said the wind
You will have a good performance.
Set!
I am at attention
My head is up at the sunset
My tall posture meets heaven
I am the guardian
Of dusks arrival,
And all of fall
Fades into my show's
Theme of spring.
I step on beat
Cherry blossoms fall
Beside my feet
The sky fades into blue and pink
In the distance stands a mountainous prop
Oh mount Fuji she stands!
What a pretty sight
For the judges
To see on a competitive night.
My heart ascends to hope
I fly up and over
The peak of mount Fuji
The kids of the night
Play her song
We all ascend into the stars.
Jan 27, 2025
Jan 27, 2025 at 8:59 PM UTC
(this is another throw-back - a piece of writing, from high school, used in my Yale applications)
I pound the pillow, curse the clock and mock injunctions to rest.
The sun finally rises and its rays slantwise fall through the curtains as I dry my hair.
A meal, like a forced dose, we soak ourselves in wasted, nervous time.
Finally! We arrive at the competition...
Tension is here and tireless pressure.
The players waiting stiff as straw, tongues playing over dry lips.
Teachers and coaches unapologetic in their pallor.
Music drifts behind us and occasionally gasps, as imperfections play like daring circus tricks.
The sparkling prodigy returns disappointed, grimace of a smile, stricken, he stares away as we search for words, oh! clumsy, unrepairable prince!
Suddenly, its time and I wonder why we are hurrying, feeling weak, momentarily frightened to go there.
On this stage in this great, hushed hall, enormity suddenly dawns with mass enough to crush me.
At last, I sit before this odd Steinway music machine - my dearest mechanical friend.
A tremble resisted - the reward of mortal afternoons - endless practices fruit.
Eyes closed I prepare my best self - pushing all fear, all doubt, to the margins - and begin.
I hope, to recreate, one note at a time, Chopin's ancient impact - with hands flying, like tethered birds, I hammer out his timeless melody explosions, his streams of crazily exact math exam fiery semiquaver motions.. then, almost suddenly, I'm done.
I stand, joyously, nearly crying.. The world hasn't ended.
.
.
Songs for this:
12 Etudes, Op. 10: No. 4 in C-Sharp Minor by Vladimir Ashkenazy
Part of Your World by Emile Pandolfi
We gather together by Emile Pandolfi
Nov 3, 2024
Nov 3, 2024 at 9:30 PM UTC
The Forgotten Child always tries
The Forgotten Child never cries
The Forgotten Child will never fly
The Forgotten Child will never know why
Their name, no one will remember
Their future, not even an ember
Their wealth, all will be sold in
Their popularity, all given to The Golden
The Golden Child never tries
But The Golden Child always cries
The Golden Child will always fly
But The Forgotten Child will never know why
Their love, everyone wants them
Their friends, everyone wants some
They keep, everything they've ever gotten
Their future, better than The Forgotten
The Forgotten Child will always do more
Yet they'll never be first
What are they even good for?
They'll always be the worst.
Oct 5, 2024
Oct 5, 2024 at 11:12 AM UTC
The crow was being chased in the air
By the bigger, stronger hawk
While the crow dodged his attacks without a care
The hawk began to talk back
"You know you can't escape me,"
"I'm stronger and faster than you."
The crow replied, "Just let me be,"
"I'm forever quicker and smarter than you too."
While the crow said this very thing
The hawk flew faster and tore off the crow's wing
But while the crow was falling from the sky
Not once did he think he was going to die
And while he fell to his possible end
The only thing crow wanted was revenge
And with his beak, he caught himself on a tree
And with his beak, it cracked in three
The crow fell safely to the ground without a sound
The hawk wanted him to die as he dove from the sky
The crow took a seat on the ground with his cracked beak
And since he had no wings to fly, there he would lie
The hawk soared, he roared as he approached his prey quick
The crow with peace, reached for a nearby stick
The hawk reached him down low
And when he tried to rip his bones apart
The crow picked up the stick, the arrow
And pierced the hawk in the heart.
Oct 5, 2024
Oct 5, 2024 at 11:09 AM UTC
My heart is like a planet
The envy it revolves around is the worst
You'll see I'm a star, if you scan it
'Cause the brightest always die first
I have no moons, though
No planet is my mother
I must then be Pluto
Too small for the other
I've done more and more
But it's all something someone's done before
Everyone else is hard and tough
Yet I'm still not good enough
In a world of diamonds, I'm coal
I'm far away, and never near
For once, I just want to be original
I'm a reflection in a shattered mirror
I've done more and more
But it's all something someone's done before
Everyone else is hard and tough
Yet I'm still not good enough
Oct 2, 2024
Oct 2, 2024 at 8:04 PM UTC
A well-known star who performed on stage
Was soon out-shined by the rest
But she couldn't become one of the common folk
She had to be the best
And in the day, she danced with them
And danced until the night
She would wait until everyone left the theatre
Then dance in her own spotlight
And as she danced from day to night
She wasn't the most elite
So she knew she had to do something bigger
So she wouldn't end in defeat
Even though the dancers did perfect arabesques
And chased after an impossible dream
When the night fell and the curtains closed
She lined the stage in gasoline
So when the sun rose, the dancers walked in
They screamed and knew they could never aspire
To the star on the blazing stage
Beautifully burning to death, surrounded by fire
Sep 30, 2024
Sep 30, 2024 at 6:28 PM UTC
I was in a car in a parking lot with my family
Looking into the window of a car
I saw a girl I knew from afar
Being treated just like a star
But we both had wit, and we both were smart
And I watched her through my calamity
Watched her get paused at the accomplishments we both had happily
Daydreaming if my family could reenact this fantasy
And I can tell her family has the biggest heart
If only mine's opinion on my achievements would just restart
Even if we were the same, she'd be the work of art
But if she's both Yin and Yang, when can I play my part?
Sep 27, 2024
Sep 27, 2024 at 9:50 PM UTC
He was on a training mission down south,
There, his landlady told him to get married.
He hesitantly agreed to flash a matrimonial,
He anyway did so in a local newspaper.
She responded to his call in the newspaper,
She was attracted by his description.
They got married in a minimalist manner,
Saving money for a combined future.
The first demand she had surprised him,
She asked him to maintain a moustache.
With time, when he grew that mouser,
She was impressed with his manliness,
"I've seen denser moustaches,
None looks as elegant as yours."
Then they went to his home in North,
For the honeymoon, they went to Kashmir.
Sep 22, 2024
Sep 22, 2024 at 12:44 PM UTC
I don't care enough about me
Or you
Or why the world spins
I can't even sleep
And somehow you think
That I'm hanging
Onto your every word
You are my muse
And I'm a flighty bird
With no direction
And listen
I understand
You love the attention
The gazing
The movie star treatment
And inspiration
Is hard to come by
So take what you need
I'll gladly concede
But leave me
Out of your dreams
I must be
Out of my mind
No that's you
I'm alright
Aug 13, 2024
Aug 13, 2024 at 11:50 AM UTC
He stands, mocking, full of his worth
and crowned by stinging opinion
He’s won. By one.
‘Not even one whole point’ I want to say
to everyone - ‘by a rounding error.’
We rejoice in wooden dialogue
snaps are fired, content is captured
I feel ridiculous and awkward
As the great pageant ends,
he leans in, in a hugging action
but I will not grow dainty with this - prince
- and I step out of his hands
"Seriously?” I mumble, shivering.
Jun 24, 2024
Jun 24, 2024 at 10:14 PM UTC
Two neighbors from Naseby compete
Whenever they pour some wet concrete
Whose sidewalk will dry
First, or is it a tie?
Luxuriant lawns are also a feat.
Jun 18, 2024
Jun 18, 2024 at 3:50 PM UTC
(Extended)
An authentic smile defeated then deleted long ago, zero chance of winnin' stretchin' all the way back to my beginnin'
It was a genuine expression that slowly melted to an unrecognizable reflection
All pigmentation givin' way revealin' a secondary, ghostly stand in walkin' in my skin and it's handed some demands in
Granted, it happened in my formative years, a couple of years before the realization hit, I was an abandoned abomination
But the impact has been felt through forty somethin' calendars and countin', often wonderin' just how many more of 'em I'll actually be needin'
A true representation of life's failed evolution, my opinion, it would've helped to have known the mission
At the very least I coulda been shown at least one possible destination
Instead of being teased with this mystical American dream while always wakin' up in a nightmareish situation
Or hell, just vaguely point me in the general direction I should be travelin' in
Oh and where I should begin because I'm sure I'll be back here again, spending a majority of me time going back to the beginnin'
Then, after that you can get back to not givin' a **** about your creation, can't be bothered to even check in too see how we're all doin'
Refusin' to even call it in with a simple "how's it goin'?" Completely stopped showin' up for some reason
What happened to all the love and forgiveness you're supposed to be dishin' out according to your words, king James edition
Bigfoot and god, both bein' heaven and earths undisputed hide and seek champion
Ignorin' all the cries for help you've been hearin' while dodgin' every little question
Eliminate guessin', can't find the answer if you can't formulate the question
Still wouldn't say it's been a waste but the needles strongly leanin' towards an awfully vague reason for existin'
An overall lack of an adequate position, doesn't really seem like I was even designed to fit in
That is if my life has been any indication
I manage to make it to, AND THROUGH, the proverbial one more day but where's the lesson?
Was it in the bull shiit I kept slippin' in before crossin' off and finishin' anythin' deemed worthy of doin'?
This just feels like non-monetary extortion, a life-sized portion, takin' far more than what's ever been given
How do you think that's gonna end? This is not a rhetorical question, I'm looking for answers and forever waitin'
I'm still in competition with myself, the prize, livin', the compromise, loosin' myself in a portrait I've broken
Or durin' the transition, stumblin' across the realization that everyone's been right, I am the problem, that's no longer opinion
Find it in the nonfiction section
The eradication of an inner companion, replacin' compassion with aggression, smooth sailin' with frustration, no direction, no validation
The transition to curmudgeon happened earlier than expected, drawin' parallels from the curious case of Benjamin Button
Not for nothin', the infestation of negative thoughts caused a mutation inside and out, completely loosin' what it means to be a person, never was a good one
Probably no longer a shoe in for team human, my demon is all high on my supply with a gargantuan appetite for fear and hate eggin' it on
It's not a lose lose situation, and it sure ain't win win, and any other option, I'm guessin', got lost in translation
But I'm pretty sure somethin's gotta end in order for another somethin' to begin, at least that's what I'm hearin'
Still can't find a reason that justifies the conviction
Is what I'm feelin' damnation?
Is what I'm seein' my own creation?
It could just be that no matter what I'm not goin' to be happy with the conclusion
Only recently discoverin' life is not a choose your own adventure, you're not allowed to be pickin' your preferred endin'
A mustard seed of faith in myself ain't doin' nothin' but turnin' a mole hill into a mountain
No fat lady singin', just a whole lotta screamin', just a band playin' as I feel myself sinkin' into oblivion
Who the hells idea was it to make me captain? Given the keys to the ship but zero trainin'
Pardon me for givin' up on salvation but if you've been payin' even a little bit of attention
It should go without sayin' but you're waistin' away waitin' for divine intervention
Be careful what you look to for inspiration, maybe get a second opinion before goin' full send, divin' head in without practicin' the landin'
A recipe for disaster cookbook in the kitchen, irony gone missin', passin' overhead, no one's even lookin'
It may not be your intention, but there's no hate like the love of a christian
I'm just sayin', that's a world I lived in, I wish this was a work of fiction, then I could benefit from all this wishin'
Even presentin' it as an exaggeration would be lyin', if I'm lyin' I'm dyin', we're all dyin', they're all lyin'
A livin' contradiction by their own admission, rid them of bullshiit with a little sanitation
Keep an eye on the who you're prayin' to every day, it may not be the one, or at least the only one, listenin'
And there's no mulligan, no snooze button, no rewind function, no wake me up when it's over discussion
A conversation on morals is just opinion, life's not a given, it can be taken but if you can't take it, please, don't give in
With a questionable foundation any moment construction can slip, unnoticed, into destruction
Countless lessons on dysfunction, an influx of confusion, temperaments risin', no inner peace on the horizon
Please have your opposition choosen before the match is striken allowin' the dumpster fire lifestyle to begin
Fuelin' suspicion, a growin' unease between both neighbor and friend, the end will come as no surprise then
Just pay attention
©2023
Aug 3, 2023
Aug 3, 2023 at 12:45 AM UTC
blushes
tips, brushes and spills and the willingness of physics
dip the quill
blending a full face of colours trippy
tipping my crown, my head,
my thinker becomes creation winning
inks
i wink faithfully lacy into the universe pirouettes and eddies
tinkering
i divide myself couple and quad and oct..
flood my breeding into the cosmos
spoon-feeding peddling out into the mutter
the great relax of the creative meddle
Dec 31, 2022
Dec 31, 2022 at 8:21 PM UTC
Prowling,
like a wolf
on the periphery of the unknown
betwixt knowledge and dread
I saw the dark truth
I felt the gulf
the waste
the expanse
the difference in power
the taste of defeat
the vice grip of the inevitable
the long, slow bleed of my dignity
flowing out
with the gold of my entrails
eviscerated by my pride
how I dared to topple the monolithic,
undeniable truth
that there is always
a better you
a better me
a better us, out there
stronger
bigger
faster
smarter
more hung
more fashionable
more handsome, more beautiful, more androgynous
more capable
more accomplished
more patient
more... loving
more empathetic
they know more random facts
they've been more places
they've known more people
they've seen more sunrises
they've counted every moon
their worst is better than your best day
he cares for her more deeply than you did
she loves that
she's forgotten you
he tells her what he never told you
and she loves him for that
you were always afraid to find out
they never invite you because you're not fun
what a downer
what a bore
there's always that one person
upon whom your envy is never sated
they lope in moonlight
flowing locks of grace
teeth bared in a frightful grin
they know all your cards
they can play you like a fiddle
they're out there
where you fear to go
the apex predator
the person you'll never be
but dream you could
and dreams are all you'll have...
Oct 31, 2022
Oct 31, 2022 at 6:37 PM UTC
please-please add your waxy scrolls
truths to the panic pyre
madden an inflamed swarm of intelligence
worm warrens into the collective of our brain
maybe
having been riddled
it'll collapse under the corrective strain
and start blinking a genuine signal
process recognized compassionate inkling
Aug 8, 2022
Aug 8, 2022 at 9:12 PM UTC