Believe

Worked on my novel-in-verse during my commute home (and NO, I don't drive -- I ride the train). It's slow work and I'm afraid to see what year I could possibly finish it at this speed. Just now, however, I opened my autographed copy of CRANK. Ellen Hopkins gave a one universal word of encouragement: "Believe". I don't think she even knew what I need to belive in when she wrote it, but I'll be writing a bit more in verse tomorrow.

Poetry Friday Original

Reading CRANK by Ellen Hopkins inspired me to write the start of one of my works-in-progress in verse.

I offer this (fictional) original poem. I'm not sure who is hosting tomorrow, but I'll put it in comments when I find out.

BASKETBALL
Varsity team my senior year
That’s all I wanted
Instead I’m shamed
Shipped down to J.V.
But that was two months ago
Now coach wants me back
But it just can’t….................................................... BE

FOOLPROOF
My perfect tryout strategy:
No mistakes
I knew the players
Did the math
I’d be a shoe-in for ninth or tenth
On a ten man roster
Only word I had to remember…......................... CAREFUL

TRYOUT DAY
Who’s the new kid?
Adam says “relax”
A kind word from my best friend
Thought tryout went great
Til coach announced the team
Then I thought WTF
But only said…........................................................ WHAT

BLAME
Clearly fell on the new kid
Maybe he’d fail a class
Break a leg
Or go back where he came from
And give back my spot on varsity
Where players have names
Other than #45 or ….............................................. YOU

WISHING
For something bad to happen
To the new kid – anything
I could regain my name
My spot on varsity
My best friend
I know it’s wrong
But each day I still …............................................. ASK

KARMA
Mine gone amuck
Followed Adam home last week
It took shape as a SUV/drunk driver duo
But I know why
Adam never made it home
Why I can never replace him on varsity
Be careful what you ask …................................... FOR.