I was at the Highland Park Poetry Open Mic last Friday, and got to participate in my first on-the-spot poetry challenge. The theme was Gifts. I managed the below in the eight minutes I had.
It irks me when I
Can’t figure out why
I can’t think of what sort
Of present to buy.
I know who its for,
And what makes her smile,
Yet this silly task
Is taking a while.
Oh well, I won’t sweat it,
I’ll settle for flowers;
So much for my ‘riginal
Thoughts all these hours.
And if she despises
My gift to her, I’ll
Utter these words with
A sincere smile:
And then I ran dry. I was stuck, stuck, STUCK! When Jennifer Dotson called my name, I walked up and recited it, and generated some laughter at my dangling ending. And NOW, three days later, I decided to finish with this…
“I fear to buy
What dazzles the eye
Lest it become to you
Much dearer than I;
But flowers shall wilt
Till they are a mess,
And spare you the guilt
Of loving me less.”
… just had to finish what I started.
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