2016 Poetry Anthology
By Katie Day
Introduction
"Where I'm From"
I am from gunpowder, from a hunting rifle and adrenaline from seeing a buck.
I am from the beauty of a horse as it lopes across my back pasture.
Its mane and tail whipping through the wind
I am from the lake water, the desert cactus
I am from spring round up and laughter, from the Andersons and the Neshems and the Days.
I am from the givers and the proud.
From trust in God and be the best you can.
I am from dirt, from which His hands created me unique and in His image.
I'm from the lone star state and the land of the midnight sun, lefse and fajitas.
From the memory of my grandpas “selective” hearing. From Peter Rabbit my mother read every night before I went to bed and going to Arizona to see family each and every Christmas.
I am from the many memories held in the pictures hanging around my mirror and in my drawers, reminding me of the love that surrounds me.
Narrative Poem- How Does it Happen so Fast
How does it happen so fast.
One second everything is fine
The next I’m falling apart.
It was supposed to be a good day, but it was attacked by death.
I wake up to find he’s gone
I don’t understand. Christmas is a happy holiday
Tears streaming down my face
“He was just fine before we left,” I barely choked out
I have never seen my dad cry this much
How did it all happen so fast.
Soon it’s the funeral
It still hasn’t sunk in all the way
How could all of this happen on such a joyous day
That can’t be him in that casket
I just sit there staring, waiting for him to get up and start laughing like he does
Maybe this is a joke.
God why did you do this to my family
I walk up to see my grandfather one last time
and I break.
That can’t be the last time.
It.
Just.
Can’t.
Structure Poem- The Possibilities in a Pen
A pen.
So many
things can
be made
from this
simple object
and a little
imagination-
Words can dance
along the page
Pictures come to life
All with a little
pressure and one
little item
A pen.
The options
are endless.
There are
no rules.
With a
Pen
,
You can create anything.
Ode- Reminder from a Ring
My grandpa always wore this ring,
Unfortunately it was given to me.
I love it, don’t get me wrong
But I wish I could see him wear it again
It’s a glorious ring
The shape of the Lone Star State
It’s a reminder of my grandfather.
I constantly wear it on my ring finger of my right hand
The gorgeous ring stares at me
And I see my grandpas face
Like a daydream, memories flood my brain
Pure bliss.
The wonderful ring shines,
Like stars in a dark night
The indentions crawling over the glistening state
Like the roads he and my grandmother traveled
The single diamond seems to mark where he lived
All roads lead to home,
Like a map.
Every morning I slip my precious reminder on
And a smile never leaves my face.
Extended Metaphor Poem- An Unfinished Book
I am an unfinished book.
Filled with fragile pages,
More added each day as my story goes on
My cover is stained with peoples prints
My chapters filled with parts of me
Memories, good and bad fill up empty space
They show who I am
In a library full of books,
I can still catch your eye
I am unique, no book containing my story
There is only one copy
Getting a page thicker every day
Scents and pictures entwined in my story
Accomplishments and failures all write themselves
Though I can be judged by my cover,
You have to see what’s inside.
I have no control of what’s engraved in my pages,
But I have faith everything is making a great story
I am an unfinished book.
Sonnet- Confusing Love
Love is the most confusing thing to feel.
Once you fall in love, it hurts to fall out
Sometimes you can’t be sure if it’s real,
Once you figure it out you know its love
Love can leave you torn up and broken
Or happier than you have ever been.
At times your feelings can be unspoken,
As actions show how you truly feel then
You cannot help who you fall in love with
You don’t always know what to do or how
Love can make you feel like you’re in a myth
And push you further than you would allow
Love is confusing and overwhelming.
Love is a weird and beautiful thing.