Day 8: National Poetry Month
Today’s prompts include, “rhythmic,” “use a simple phrase repeatedly, and then make statements that invert or contradict that phrase,” and “paranoia.” The obvious solution is to write in first person, remember that “just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not all out to get you,” and write the whole thing in iambic pentameter – for the rhythmic qualities, of course.
Insomnia
There is no monster lurking in the dark
I’m told. I’m fairly sure it’s true, and yet…
I hear him breathing there, behind the door.
There is no monster lurking in the dark
though Mother jokes he likes to try on shoes
that smell like sweaty feet and human toes.
There is no monster lurking in the dark —
my brother listens to my whispered fears
and laughs. He won’t walk past my closet door.
There is no monster lurking in the dark.
I think my Father knows; he ventured in
there once. Now all I hear’s the crunch of bone.
There is no monster lurking in the dark
You must forgive the cluttered mess; you know
I cannot use the closet anymore.
Other National Poetry Month Posts
- National Poetry Month, Texas Style!
- Apricots: a Tanka Encompassing Three Prompts
- Bee Sting: Day 2 of National Poetry Month
- Cacophony and CBD: Day 3 in Nonsense Verse and Found Poetry
- Technically, a Writer: Day 3 of National Poetry Month
- Dive: Day 4 of National Poetry Month
- Storm Front: Day 4 of National Poetry Month
- Energized: Day 5 of National Poetry Month
- Grump: Day 5 ½ of National Poetry Month
- Future Frittered Away: Day 6 of National Poetry Month
- Hell, Hell, Hell: Day 7 (More or Less) of National Poetry Month
- Insomnia: Day 8 of National Poetry Month
- Juxtaposition: Day 9 of National Poetry Month
- Knife Edge: Day 10 of National Poetry Month
- Lost a Day: Day 11 of National Poetry Month
- Many Definitions: Day 12 of National Poetry Month
- New Form – Quadrille Quaiku: Day 13 of National Poetry Month
- Ode to Imagination: Day 14 of National Poetry Month
- Pixellated People: Day 15 of National Poetry Month
- Quintessential, Querulous Quintet: Day 16/17 of National Poetry Month
- Renewal: Day 18 of National Poetry Month
- Secrets of the Terrarium: Day 19/20 of National Poetry Month
Your Turn!
What lurks inside your closet in the dark? Write a poem about it – feel free to share it here!
Holly,
I loved this poem. I brought me back to my days as a young teen when I had to have my closet closed to go to sleep. Also loved the rhythm of this and the images you brought here. Thank you for sharing.
I am also posting my poems on my blog if you are interested.
Thank you! I’ll definitely come check out your poems, Barbara. (I have seen you post in comments on WD now and then!) While it isn’t hard to write “a poem a day,” it’s impossible, I think, to write a good one every day! 😁
I wonder why the thing lurking under the bed or in the closet is such a common, universal concept. Not always a fear, but why not in the oven or the attic or the basement? Why not hiding in the kitchen pantry? It’s never there, is it?
Love the ending which turns the poem on the head into an excuse. Great delivery.
My closet is for office equipment, stationary and fabric.
In my closet are dreams.
Things to come, craft, and be.
My fabric is in stacks.
The paint is on shelves.
I got fashion and shoes,
there as well.
What can I make.
What can I be.
In my closet are my dreams.
Outside, I’m just me.
It needs a little work but not bad to start – in this case I needed the ending to know how to begin.
No, not bad at all – a good start, Erin! It’s funny how we sometimes have to write our way INTO a poem (or a story) and then figure out what it was we were really trying to say. I used to hate revision, but I finally get it – and most days, even enjoy it.
Shades of Trockle. Love it.
Trockle is so much cuter than this monster!
Of course. Trickle is unique.
Yes. Poor little Trockle would probably be hiding under the bed behind the little girl!
😁 Indeed.