I wanted to get caught up again, so I pumped out some more haikus. The first one I think is best example of what a haiku should be (at least of the ones I’ve written). The second was me “nerding out.” I hope you enjoy them.
Haiku 3
Snow in October—
Man and woman separate.
Death comes too early.
Haiku 4
Criminals run scared
At the sight of my dark wings—
I am Batman.
Here’s another poem. This came about from the time I’d spent early in the morning in a quiet house before anyone else wakes up.
Silence
The morning dawns, but the day isn’t new.
Curtains blockade the sunlight
As I lay in bed, lost and lonely,
Staring at the blank ceiling.
My wounds have become scars.
The fire in my heart is snuffed.
My world is gray.
Are You there—there in the silence?
I’ve cried out to You ‘til my throat’s raw.
Your silence terrifies me.
Speak comfort to me.
Renew my hope with Your voice
Before my bed becomes
My final resting place.
This poem came to mind when I randomly thought of the “sword of Damocles” anecdote. I couldn’t get it out of my head even though I wanted to write a poem about something else. So, here it is.
(I’ve been keeping up with writing poems but not with posting them. Today’s poem should get written and posted tonight).
Slander
Your words hang over my head like a sword of Damocles.
Though false, I fear them—
Am I blind to their truth?
One bad move, and the sword will fall,
Piercing my heart, exposing it.
All will see and believe.
They will say, “This was just punishment,”
Never knowing that it was you, not me,
Who hung the weapon above me.
Even I will forget and agree,
And your lies become my identity.
But I will fear not your sword.
I know its tether, though thin, is strong,
For it is Truth, and it is unbreakable.
Just another love poem today. I didn’t like it at first, but it’s grown on me.
When I’m With You
You, oh Beauty, inspire
With your word, your touch, your glance, your smile.
You draw out the man
I never knew I was.
When I’m with you…
I’m stronger.
I can carry your burdens
And pick you up when you fall.
When I’m with you…
I’m bolder.
I can slay the dragons
And chase your fears away.
When I’m with you…
I’m humbler.
Alone, I’m powerless to save you,
So I fall on my knees to find my Strength.
When I’m with you…
I’m who I was created to be—
Your hero,
A man after God’s own heart.
This poem was loosely inspired by a line from the song “Waiting for the World to Fall” by Jars of Clay. For a while when I’d listen to it, I’d mishear the line, “I’m waiting for the world to fall,” as “I’m waiting for the world to thaw.” This made sense since was from an album of music inspired by The Chronciles of Narnia. Regardless, it was inaccurate, so I wrote this poem as a way of using that misheard line that resounded with me. Obviously, it’s not as good as the original song, but I do hope it’s a good read.
Waiting for Winter’s End
“It’s always winter, never Christmas,” a faun once said.
Long has been the winter of my discontent,
For the Son has not made it glorious summer.
My heart is an ice block,
Frozen, cold, numb.
It sleeps, the memories of warmth but a dream—
A dream of hope.
I’m waiting for my world to thaw,
When ice and snow melt into life-giving water
To rouse me from hibernation, to refresh my soul.
Winter is not forever, and though spring is slow,
The ice will melt with a touch of the Son’s rays.
I have been keeping up with writing poems for NaPoWriMo–I just haven’t been posting them on time. Anyway, here’s another one. This one was inspired by my troubles with brainstorming ideas for poems (among other things). I’m not happy with it, though. It seems to meander and/or lack focus. Maybe I’m wrong. You decide, readers.
Writer’s Block
My Muse, my Muse, why have you forsaken me?
Penning a few lines is a chasing after the wind.
Inspiration is a prey I stalk with a club,
A club better used to break the dam
My mind built to halt the rapids
Of creativity, thoughts, emotions, insights
Refusing the river’s flow from mind to heart to hand to pen to paper.
Will they drink the water, my Muse?
Will it be refreshing or sour?
Is that why you elude me today?
Or are you in the torrent behind the dam,
Waiting for me to break through?
I decided to challenge myself by writing in a poetic form I’d not written before (and so I could catch up)–a haiku. Here are the two I wrote. To be honest, I don’t think they’re very good. What do you think?
Haiku 1
Girl climbing tree:
A squirrel leaps through branches
Seeking joy and food.
Haiku 2
Naked tree branches,
Magnolia flowers bloom—
Easter’s almost here.
This poem was inspired by a scene from Rurouni Kenshin, one of my favorite animes/mangas. The titular hero is about to embark on a dangerous journey to battle an old enemy. He has no idea if he will survive the coming battles. Rather than worry his new friends, he decides to leave late at night, but not before saying goodbye to Kaoru, the young woman who took him in and, incidentally, fell in love with him. You can watch the scene here. Admittedly, I hadn’t seen it in a while, and I forgot there were fireflies. Perhaps I’ll add them when I edit the poems after NaPoWriMo. I hope you like it.
Farewell
I feared this day would come.
I prayed it wouldn’t since the day we met,
When one glance at you struck me dumb,
But I must wander again to pay my debt.
Alone, we meet at midnight.
My sadness is masked by my melancholy smile
As I say, “I must go fight with all my might,
For my cause is just and most worthwhile.”
You beg me to stay, your face illumined by the fireflies’ glow,
As trees shed their cherry blossoms
To mingle with the tears you cry so,
But our hearts are broken within our bosoms.
I hold you in one last embrace,
My neck wet with the tears flowing from your eyes.
I wish I could look you in the face,
For this could be our last goodbye.
“Farewell,” I say, releasing you,
Slinking into the dark, knowing I can’t remain.
You are the only one I could say that to
Because yours is a love I thought I’d never have again.
This poem was inspired by the time I’ve spent reading and praying by a big maple tree at the bottom of the hill where my parents’ house sits atop. Their property is gorgeous, especially during the summer and fall.
Under the Mighty Maple
The shade of a mighty maple
Has become my shelter from the storm.
There I listen to the birds’ songs
Carried along the breeze, seeking elusive peace.
I see squirrels leap through branches with abandon
Like daredevil trapeze artists,
Missing the lost love they remind me of.
And there I commune with God,
Praying, wrestling, hoping
He will restore what I lost,
What I seek so desperately,
Under the mighty maple.
This poem was also loosely inspired by a song: “Made of Steel” by Our Lady Peace. I hope you like it (although I’m not as happy with this or the previous poem).
I’m Not Superman
You longed for a hero,
Looking up, waiting—
Waiting for your Superman,
When I was always at your side.
I’m not made of steel,
But I can take the punches for you.
I can carry you when you falter
Though my strength isn’t super.
I’ll catch you when you fall, so hold on
Because we’ll soar though I can’t fly.
So never fear, your hero is here.
Just look over your shoulder,
And there I’ll be, awaiting your embrace,
So you can hide under my cape.