Update Your Progress

I made my poetry slam debut last week. Sponsored by one of our high school seniors, I smiled “maybe” when she invited me to slam. Though intrigued, I had written little poetry to date.

Two days before the event, I resurrected a stream-of-consciousness piece from my cell phone. I revised. Rehearsed. Then spoke from my heart.

Update Your Progress: February 8, 2017 at 6:24 AM

Goodreads reminder:

you started reading

The Memory Book

41 days ago

update your progress

My dad died 34 days ago

is that what you're asking?

dictate words into cell phone

read "time flies" on WaPo

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Calls and emails unanswered

Members of Congress ignored

voter suppression et al

he became president

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We marched in Helena

10,000 strong

The woman beside me said,

"isn't it nice to be around thinkers?"

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I fell on my driveway

wrist to shoulder swallowed whole

old anti-inflammatories

got me through

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I returned to the treadmill

to walk and to read

Muslim ban and Cabinet nominees

sabotaged my mind

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93 more

my heart bleeds for our country

my father rests in peace