My Imagination

Well, dear reader, it was bound to happen. I was destined to write a poem I am simply not proud of. I struggled mightily with today's prompt, which deals with strange animals. We could write about real animals, or use the animal analogy to describe someone or something. At least, that's how I read the prompt. Whatever I was supposed to do, I am sure I didn't do it. And with that, here is my offering for today. This poem is not about mental health. The ending simply doesn't support my views on such an important issue. I hope that you don't hate this piece completely. It is all I have for today.

Rod E. Kok
October 4, 2018

Imagination

created

many a nightmare

for me

so long ago.

Beasts

would chase me

down darkened streets

until I fell

out of bed.

Barking dogs

brought visions

of rabid hell-hounds,

their frenzied snarls

waking me

from a fitful slumber.

My dreams changed

as I grew up;

beasts turned

into demons,

growling bitches

into a mental incubus.

I never fell

out of bed again,

but

I tumbled

out of sanity.

I am still leary

of darkness;

who knows what lurks

beyond what my eyes

can see.

As I grow older

I’ve given my fears

a name.

My demons have

been christened.

I call them

nothing more

than figments

of my

imagination.

The Oak and the Man

Day 3 of OctPoWriMo brings us the first real challenge. At least for me, this was the first one. Dear reader, we were given the prompt of 'insecurity'. The direction the prompt wanted us to go was how we dealt with being unsure in love. I chose something completely different. I did, however, use the form that we were prompted to use. I had never written a florette. The Florette is a 4 line poem with a rhyme scheme of a-a-b-a and a meter of 8-8-8-12. There are some rhyming rules as well. See if you can pick up on that as you read my poem.

I really wanted to tell a story with this piece. I hope I accomplished that. Thank you again for reading and following my work. Please subscribe to receive updates in your email. Or, leave a comment on the poem(s). Your support and knowing you are reading means a lot to me.

Rod E. Kok
October 3, 2018

A stooped old man, grizzled and worn

his body broken, his mind torn

only his eyes had signs of life

taunts and jests cut him like a knife, facing the scorn.

An ancient oak stands tall and proud

its limbs are strong, with leaves endowed

a symbol of strength, hope...glory

ageless, timeless, it tells a story. All have bowed.

The man looked up to that old tree

it took away insecurity

He felt it showed him some respect.

That old oak did the man protect, both could live free.

An ancient oak stood all alone

its leaves were gone, the winds had blown.

On winter’s eve, that old man died;

he found his peace. The old oak cried, last respect shown.

Gentle Notes

Good day, dear reader. Day 2 of OctPoWriMo is upon us. This is the first time we have been encouraged to use a specific form. Of course, we don't have to do it but I really like the challenge of having to follow a specific set of rules. I chose to write a cinquain, which is a 5 line poem made up of 1 word (first line), 2 words (second line), 3 words (third line), 4 words (fourth line) and 1 word (5th line). My introduction today is much longer than the poem.

Our prompt today was short. It gave us the thought of 'notes' (which are usually quite short) written to 'you'. We get to choose who the 'you' is in our poem. My piece today is more musical (notes) than lyrical. And today's work is dedicated to my dear wife, who is my best friend, my partner in crime, my lover and the only person who could put up with me. Thank you, Dianne. I love you.

Rod E. Kok
October 2, 2018

Music

plays softly.

Gentle notes evoke

passion. I am embracing

you.

Willing to Surrender

Good day, dear reader. Today is the first day of October in the year of our Lord 2018. This is a great day, for it means the beginning of OctPoWriMo. October Poetry Writing Month has been dear to me for a long time, and although my participation in it has been lacking the last couple years, it is time once again to embrace the challenge. My muse has been gone for a long time. I am hoping that this month will be a breakout month for me, and for my poetry.

Today's prompt is about surrender, and what it means to us. How do we define it? I dug into my past and glanced into my present. The result is my first poem of OctPoWriMo 2018. I hope you enjoy it.

Rod E. Kok
October 1, 2018

I used to open up

about how deep

I was sinking

into quicksand.

Open yet closed,

nobody really knew

me.

Demons were my lovers;

the succubus

held a flame

to my heart.

Willing to surrender,

I fought myself.

I hurt my body,

my soul…

Today I am different.

Weakness is still

my strength;

temptation still

holds my hand.

I recognize myself

in the mirror of

self-examination;

I reach out to me,

showing grace

where none is deserved.

Willing to surrender,

I forgive the old me.

I embrace myself,

and learn

to love.

Back in the Saddle Again

Feb. 21, 2018. That was the last time I wrote a poem. It was also the last time I published a poem. I miss it, dear reader. I really do miss trying to put some words together that form poetry. And I am happy for the subjectivity of poetry. It does not matter if it is good or not. Either way, it is poetry. And that is why I can publish today's piece. I know it is not great...and I don't care. It is mine. I own it. And hopefully, it means what the title says. 

Rod E. Kok

I am going to try find

some words that make sense;

or at the very least,

that I am proud

to have written.

Maybe I will start

with something simple;

or perhaps this effort

will just be

a jumble of thoughts.

I suppose it doesn’t matter;

sensible or illogical,

does anybody really care?

I don’t.

I am breaking my own rules,

using words I’ve sworn

to never include in a work.

And I feel really darn good

that I am trying

to get back

in the saddle again.