There once was a lady named Pat

Whose hat was made from a cat?

The dogs in the area

Saw nothing as scarier

As Pat with her cat as a hat

If you want to get ahead, get a hat!

©Julian Race 11/07/2021

42 likes, 25 re posts and read 325 times and did not win the challenge! The winner had 8 likes!

I once bought a girl an eternity ring

Eternity I thought was forever

It lasted another month or two

Then she left for someone more clever

It took a while before the pain had gone

And then I met sweet little Mary

At six foot two and eyes of blue

And a chin that always looked hairy

Mary and I were made for each other

And decided to marry in spring

Our love would last for eternity

And I’d already got a spare ring

©Julian Race 24/5/2021

You gave me your hand

You built a home from the pieces of a broken man

Instead of covering up my bruises with kisses like you used to

you made more

Now my mind’s is at war

because you’re not the love I once knew

Your ghost sits with me

underneath the willow tree

We hold in our anger and call it home

we never get lost for we do not roam

Your ghost picked me apart and looks inside

I couldn’t run, I couldn’t hide

Your ghost filled me with dreams I can’t hold

It’s the only thing keeping me afloat in this cold world

I wish that we could’ve run away

I wish I could just leave the growing up for another day

This nostalgic feeling is weighing down on me

Like the kid I used to be is looking down on me

I see your ghost stare at the photographs of us

and smile at the things stuck in the past

But I also see the hole that slowly spreads as your ghost looks at our picture

your ghost turns and looks at me

I have to look closely

to see your ghost whisper “I’m sorry”

I can’t handle the silence that threatens to crush us

So I sing a song to keep the quiet out

But it’s not enough

because when you watch me with those sad eyes

I self-destruct on the inside

It’s never a pretty sight

And it pains me, even more, when your ghost cries

because we’re both hurting inside

You used to say “there’s love in the silence”

I always replied with a smile, “tell me something I don’t know”

This love doesn’t feel right anymore

I miss the love that wasn’t filled with sadness and pain

I miss the before

I call your ghost over so we can take a picture

but no matter how many times we take the picture it’s not the same

because in the after photo I’m all alone

Even with your ghost here I feel alone

So I listen to your recorded voicemail on my phone

My hands are balled into fists

In that moment I realize how lonely it is to exist

The silence keeps trying to sprout

So I play your voicemail over and over to keep the silence out

I remember when it was just me and you

lying around talking about nothing new

I remember when it was just you and me

and all those fishing trips down to the sea

and suddenly out of nowhere you said you had to leave

me being so young and so naive

said “it’s ok I’ll wait here by the sea”

and then when I grew up it finally dawned on me

that it was all make-believe

because you left a long time ago

but my younger self said, “no I can’t let go.”

unknowingly dragging my heart in tow

if you guys could spend a moment of your time and read my piece and cast your vote , I am really proud of this piece and the way it came out , I hope You enjoy it as much as I do , the contest ends February 26 you win by votes , the Link is down below , just copy and paste into the search bar and it will take you to my piece

Voting for some reason is still.opened through the 28

https://woobox.com/fzybjc/gallery/ISE3DEnQWMk

Poetry link for contest

Hey,

It's been so long since we last talked,

I don't know how you're doing,

I don't know if you've moved on,

I don't know if you've come online since our last text,

And sadly,

Distance is futile,

So I just want to talk again,

And ask

How's life treating you?

So, I was thinking. I have only two months of school life left. The exams are all approaching soon. And this result has quite an impact on deciding my future. So, maybe I should consider staying away from some things for a while-From Facebook to Youtube, and maybe Prose.

I mean, for almost a month, I was not able to finish a single post. And I don't think I really would be able to do that in the coming months too. So, maybe instead of attempting and failing in multitasking, again and again, I think I should focus on one task right now. And considering the current circumstances, the top priority should be learning, of course. So, this is almost like a short goodbye.

I mean, I would come back, of course. This place is now a part of my life. I am not leaving this place (At least not anytime soon. You see, life can be unpredictable ^-^). So, I might not be around here for a while. I might be busy devouring textbooks. So, I will miss you guys. But I will be back soon ^-^

PS: And the day I return, I am announcing my arrival by taking down this post, lol. It seems far too emotional for my type ^-^ So until someday halfway April, keep this place cheerful, won't ya ^-^

I want I want

To go to bed

But words, they flutter

In my head

Like watching swarms of wasps or bees

Like hearing whispers through the trees

Like waiting for a tiger’s pounce

But with no rest, no wink or ounce.

I think I’m meant to be a writer

I’m far too critical to fail

I know in person I get nervous

And my thoughts sometimes derail

But on paper it’s a different story,

One that helps me boast in glory!

But then again perhaps I should hide

My shameful and disgusting pride

Cause I’m no better than another

Cause I can stitch some words together

It means far more I’m treated kind

Than showing you what’s in my mind

So I stay silent

My silent bind

Is it for your sake?

Or for mine?

I have my best, and worst ideas at about 4:00 in the morning. The trouble is: I sometimes think that my worst idea is my best idea, and vice versa.

Here's a 4:00 idea from this week that I truly think is a good idea. So, I present it here, for your review and comment.

One of my New Years resolutions for 2021 is to publish some of my writing. My 10 year old son said that it would be nice if I would publish my writing so he could read it when he's older. He never fails to melt my heart.

So, my primary goal is to publish some writing for my children. But, it would be nice to sell a few books too.

Based on my limited experience in retail I know that sales are best at Christmas. But, there are also spikes in sales just before Mother's Day and Father's Day.

What if I, what if we were to publish a compilation of stories, essays, and poetry about parents and parenthood just before mothers Day? I'm thinking that the book could be a mixture of fiction and non-fiction about mothers, fathers, grandparents; about mother figures, father figures; about being a parent; or being a son or daughter? The theme is parenting / parenthood in general.

I'm thinking that this would be a self-published book, and that there would be an agreed upon system for sharing of profits (based on the extent to which each author contributes).

I'm blasting this idea out to a bunch of my followees and followers to determine whether this idea is worth pursuing.

Please comment with:

A Good luck but I'll pass

B - I'm interested, but I need more information before considering further.

C - I'm in! I have some writing ready to submit for consideration. Please message me and we'll discuss.

D - I'm in! I would like to submit some new writing for consideration. Let's discuss your ideas. Please nessage me.

E - You are mistaken. Bad idea.

F - Other (please include your thoughts / comments)

Writing submitted for consideration will be reviewed by myself and a small group of co-editors (yet to be named). I'm sorry but It's likely that we won't be able to include all submissions.

Please note that I'm hoping that the book will represent a wide range of families from "perfect" to completely disfunctional; traditional to non-traditional.

Thanks for considering this idea, and for your responses. Feel free to invite your fellow authors / repost if you like.

Let's see what happens over the next 5-7 days. I'll make a decision whether to proceed with the project by Friday January 22nd, based on responses received.

Thanks!

Chris