Nov2024PAD Day 4 - Nerves

 Mask On or Mask Off

I need to feel part of, yet risks unfold,
For closeness may invite rejection’s sting.
Approval could slip, as if it was bold?
What shame or grief might openness then bring?

How tempting, still, to hide behind the guise,
This “perfect” self that lets me seem so sure.
But here within, where no one’s prying eyes
Can breach my walls, the doubts and fears endure.

In masks and walls I find a haven’s peace,
An armor forged to hold myself as strong—
No pity, judgment; none to seek release,
No wounds unearthed, no rights to painful wrongs.

For all this time, my strength’s been just a face—
Can trust replace these barriers I’ve embraced?

At last, the mask comes off, the walls descend,
My spirit bared, my flaws no longer veiled.
What freedom found, what power to transcend
This armored shell my trembling heart once trailed.

The fear that bound me now dissolves like night,
Replaced by light that others see as true—
A soul unmasked, no longer gripped with fright,
Whose weakness holds a strength I never knew.

For I belong as wholly, purely me,
Untamed by shame, by pride’s elusive chase.
In letting go, I gain the will to be,
To lean and share, to find a softer grace.

Where once I feared, I now see joy unfold—
The gift of self revealed, unmeasured, bold.

Original idea

For today’s prompt, write a nerves poem. As an empath, it sure feels like many (many) people have been a pile of nerves recently (maybe having to do with something that takes place tomorrow, though maybe for other reasons). But a person can write about being nervous or write about the nervous system. And some folks may not even know what it's like to get nervous (lucky dogs), and they can write about that. Let's get nervy today.

Nov2024PAD Day 3 - Correspondence

 Unveiled Connection

When walls collapse and masks are shed away,
In echoes clear, our voices intertwine;
With every word, we find a brighter way,
As active listening reveals the line.

In whispered truths, a bond of trust we weave,
Each secret shared, a thread that binds us tight;
In fragile moments, we learn to believe,
That honesty will guide us through the night.

In consistency, our bond finds steady ground,
A promise kept, where faith and hope align;
Through every trial, loyalty is found,
Each action mirrors words, our hearts entwine.

Through listening, trust, and honesty displayed,
A deeper love in correspondence laid.

Original idea

For today’s prompt, write a correspondence poem. For me, correspondence usually makes me think of writing letters and/or communicating with people through the mail. But there are also correspondent reporters and correspondent representatives. And honestly, correspondence can mean a close similarity or connection (so nothing to do with communication at all). So take correspondence wherever you need for today's poem.

Nov2024PAD Day 2 - Disquise

 Walls of Silence, Arms of Love

Before me stands a wall, my path restrained,
A fortress built in silence, strong and vast.
Its stones are set by words you’ve left contained,
In glances turned away and shadows cast.

This wall reflects the battles fought and lost,
Its scars worn thin from fear’s relentless care.
I wonder what you guard and at what cost,
What hidden self you’ve sheltered deeply there.

Yet here I stand with patience, arms held wide,
A love unshaken, true, no need for fear.
For though this wall may loom, and doubts may hide,
I’m waiting here, a voice you’ll always hear.

So let down this disguise, unveil your heart—
For love alone can pull these walls apart.
---

The Masked Heart

A mask so delicate, with purpose clear,
To hide the depths beneath its guarded face.
Its form a jade-like stone, both hard and near,
A shield designed to hold its secret place.

Fine lines are etched, like vines across its skin,
Or cracks that hint of tales it holds in stone.
Do they conceal the truth that lies within,
Or guard a precious heart unknown, alone?

This mask seems fused, impossible to shed,
Its clouded eyes like shutters locked from sight.
Yet patient hands, with care, could lift instead,
And coax its keeper forth into the light.

For beauty hides where unseen treasures keep,
And love unveils the soul from depths so deep.

Original idea

For today’s prompt, write a disguise poem. Of course, we just celebrated Halloween in these parts, which involved a lot of disguises; but people also disguise their voices and/or their true natures every day. They may disguise their intentions. And some poems even disguise their true meanings. So play with disguises today

Nov2024PAD Day 1 - Before You Leave

Daily Farewell at the Door

She goes to work, she pauses there to stand,
Eyes bright with love, a gentle, glistening spark.
She clutches hands in hers, a tender band,
Her voice a thread that warms against the dark.
It’s not goodbye—it’s love she leaves behind,
A quiet gift to carry on my way.
No words are needed, nor are tears confined;
Her heart speaks volumes more than we could say.
A final hug, a smile that lingers on,
Like sunlight held within a fleeting grasp.
And as she fades, the warmth is never gone,
Her presence stays within that farewell clasp.
She goes to work, but with each sweet embrace,
She fills my live with love’s unending space.

Traduccion en espanol - Cada Adiós en la Puerta
Cada vez que partimos, se detiene,
sus ojos brillan con amor sincero.
Nos toma de la mano y nos sostiene,
su voz un hilo cálido y entero.
No es adiós—es amor que nos entrega,
un dulce don que llevamos de aquí.
Las palabras no alcanzan lo que llega;
su alma habla más de lo que hay que oír.
Un último abrazo, sonrisa fiel,
como un rayo de sol entre sus brazos.
Y aunque se va, su luz vive en la piel,
presente en ese adiós, en sus abrazos.
Cada visita acaba, pero así,
deja el rastro de amor que ella nos da a ti.

The Friday Farewell

At five we watch the ticking hands align,
Our desks abandoned, screens now fading black.
This weekly pause, a sweet, uncertain sign,
As Friday whispers, “Go,” then pulls us back.
We trade a glance, relief upon each face,
The weekend’s freedom sparking in our eyes.
But Monday waits, relentless in its chase,
Its shadow creeping as the sunlight dies.
A final laugh, then out the door we spill,
Released from duty’s grasp, if just for now.
Each step toward rest, though brief, is savored still,
While Monday plans its steady, solemn vow.
This loop of time, a dance that never ends,
Our Fridays lost, but Monday always mends.

Original idea

  

For today’s prompt, write a before you leave poem. Hopefully, nobody's thinking about leaving this challenge yet, but we are all leaving October. And since it's Friday, many of us may be leaving the work week. And well, we've all likely left other people, places, and things over the years. Think about those situations for this poem.

It's yours to choose

It's yours to choose to do what is right.

Never had plans to force or smite.

This key gift is part of the plan,

by choosing to become more than.

More than just  one that's well behaved

More than what the devil's plan craved.

More than ever your heart desired

More than you just feeling inspired.

The Father's plan was crystal clear.

Yet two different paths we did hear.

Forced to do it only one way

Or allow us to choose what may.

Imagine how we'd be alive

Forced to do the right like a hive.

Sure would be great without a test

No failures to fear, yet could we rest?

Can we know sweet without bitter

Is what Eve would have sent on twitter.

For Adam  never knew and chose

to disobey and now he knows.

Better understand Adam's fall

Will help know Christ's part is not small.

His atonement is key to aid,

Us all to become better made.

Nov2020PAD day 29 - wanting blank poem

Wanting pie

Pecan pie was first to the dance.

But sorry never stood a chance.

Almond Joy started dancing strong.

With Apple crisp danced all night long.

The reigning pair, a yummy match.

Pumpkin cheesecake made from scratch.

and triple berry caught my eye.

Each day they are gone, I still cry.

Nov2020PAD day 28 - remix

 A True Love Is

I do declare the wedding of true love.

Two minded people are sealed from on high.

Change can and does happen, no need to shove,

Even if neither don't cares to deny.

It's not the ship that will take you this far,

Life will try to force it's marks upon you.

but both are focused on that guiding star.

And this love, true love, will help you both through.

The clock's tick tock will never stop at all.

Though you'd want moments to never be through.

Love covers you ev'n if hitting a wall.

Goes until even you throw in your shoe.

Love can be seen many in other forms

But I see it this way as it transforms.

Wedding vow poem for Josh and Hailey based upon Shakespeare's sonnet 116

A true love is 

I do declare the marriage of true love.

Two minded people sealed from above.

Change can happen in your lover,

Even if neither wants to uncover. 

It's not the ship that will take you far,

but your focus on that guiding star. 

Life will force marks upon you.

Love, true love will help you through.