Weekly Short Stories Contest and Company! discussion

You have until June 30th to post a poem, and from July 2nd to the 8th we will vote for which one we thought was best!

Please post directly into the topic and not a link. Please don’t use a post previously used in this group. (Note: Only one submission per person is allowed).

Your poem can be any length.

This week’s topic is: Something Unexpected

The rules are pretty loose. You could write a poem about anything that has to do with the subject/photo but it must relate to the topic somehow.

Most of all have fun!

POET: Garrison Kelly
TITLE: IOU
GENRE: Non-Comedic Limericks
RATING: R for sexual references and language



Something unexpected, but not really, though
When it comes to the world, there’s nothing I owe
I gave it everything
Until I couldn’t sing
The world asked for more, well, what do you know?

It’s an abusive romance with a floating rock
She gets all the diamonds, I get a bloody cock
More, more, more
So like a good man whore
I play the cheerleader while she’s fucking a jock

If I go on strike while I’m working this mic
What would there be left to click on and like?
I’m falling behind
In the endless grind
My wheels are spinning like a Kawasaki bike

Here’s an IOU that will never be paid
Here’s a shitty RPG that will never be played
You can be the DM
Until we’re past the PM
Hours of the day, I think my hairs have grayed

That’s all that life is: a game I can’t win
So why am I even going all the way in?
Gamble everything
Lose until it stings
Slam dunk the IOU in the rubbish bin

I owe the world nothing, its people even less
I’ve given all I’ve got and I’m still not the best
Christmas is over
I ain’t being covert
Middle finger to the earth, time for me to rest

Wake me up when you throw a parade
For every sacrifice that I’ve ever made
It’s not ego
I’m not a hero
I’m just full from drinking capitalist Kool-Aid

Unleashed

From her captive cage, she parts,
from the path so well-charted and worn,
into the freedom's forest, she embarks,
in the aftermath of hurdles, forlorn.

Her gaze rests on the untrodden trail,
an unforeseen sensation takes hold.
She treads along her chosen path,
over the thorns, her joy unfolds.

Gonna dabble at this poetry thing.


Men of greatness
All gathered around.
A tale retold,
A legend renowned.

The ladies giggled,
As the men did heave.
They flashed their smiles
Afront the rumor they weave.

And one by one
The men did quit
Defeated, deflated
Embarrassed a bit

Then something unexpected,
The crowd in awe
Their eyes unblinking,
Unmoving their maw.

No hero to be wed,
They court ladies fled.
No king to be praised,
Left knights, flags raised.

Just an old man
A mouth full of grin
With a stark white beard
Down to his shin

He said, “All witnessed
This competition you win.
The sword chose you
For something within.”

“Some came for money,
Others a husband to find.
They came to find treasure,
The monetary kind.”

“But Arthur, you will save England
You’re both courageous and kind.
The sword will guide your heart,
And I will guide your mind.”

Change

Change is uncomfortable
but it's necessary
It's what makes an ordinary man
become legendary
Change makes empty palms
overflow with abundance
Change makes wondering minds explore
and say no to redundance
Change births the butterfly
And can take a man down
in the gutters--high
At the same time, humble a man
Break him down 'til he mutters, "...why?"

A Woman's Heart
By Brett A. Starr on June 23, 2023

Unexpected gift,
At an unexpected time -
Wins a woman's heart


Footnote: I was trying to think of a good poem for this topic "Something Unexpected." I went several directions finally settling on a passage from the movie "Finding Forrester." The author, William Forrester (played by Sean Connery), mentors a young prodigy on writing and romantic advice. When Jamal Wallace (played by Rob Brown) asks for advice gaining favor with his love interest, Forrester offers up his secret - an unexpected gift at an unexpected time. With Connery's delivery, who could argue with that. I managed to put it into a haiku. I hope you enjoy it and if you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend it.

one love forever
always and never dying
two zombies alone

I hope to do the next contests and the polls tomorrow. Stay tuned everyone!

I will go by your first post Andres. There can only be one poem post entry each contest.

Cool beans dude.