WELCOME, MONSTROSITY

While walking in the moonlight
through a snowy field 
in a dream one night
I suddenly saw

the monolithic silhouette of a giant 
standing in my path.

A star sparkled on the tip
of a spear aimed straight at my heart.

So I turned to run

and awoke in my soft bed.

Though relieved
I felt limp with loss—
I’d been told
we can only defeat
the shadowy threats of our dreams
by facing them head-on.

Hoping for solace
I confessed my failure
to the wise one

who then said:

as long as you remember
the shame you now feel
you’ll fight to overcome your weakness.

And so
after struggling many days 
with the disgrace of my retreat
I felt such a lift
when the giant stood before me again—
I opened my arms and yelled:
welcome, monstrosity!

And actually felt disappointed
when the shadow vanished the next instant.

The field of snow shone in moonlight
but instead of continuing on the path
I followed the trail of a little chipmunk
into the dark woods nearby.

The next day I returned to the wise one
to crow of my success.

Yes, she said
better to face the shadows within
before we take on 
the giant shadows of our world--

hard to win 
when you’re waging war on two fronts.

Welcome Monstrosity

Recorded on September 18, 2017, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Heather Christle: "Mistake"

Recorded on October 23, 2017, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Howard Altmann: "After Hours"

Recorded on October 25, 2017, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Deborah Landau: from "Soft Targets"

Recorded on December 15, 2017, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Megan Levad: "Foundling"

Recorded on April 13, 2018, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

James Richardson: "Essay on the One Hand and on the Other"

Recorded on July 19, 2018, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Erika Meitner: "A Brief Ontological Investigation"

Recorded on July 26, 2018, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Francisco Marquez's Album

Janice N. Harrington: "Burn"

Wasting Time : written and read by @megwaf for #WhisperingNeds 151 (Wasting Time)

Wasting Time : by @megwaf for #WhisperingNeds 151

she shuffles her feet : written and read by @megwaf for #WhisperingNeds 151

she shuffles her feet : by @megwaf

Bury me where... written by Chris : read by @megwaf  for #ReadMeSpeakMe No.99

Bury me where... written by Chris : read by @megwaf

I claim to be a novelist, poet, essayist, cartoonist, graphic artist, peace monger--and I'm trying to be a world citizen. As for my backstory...let's just say I've lived and worked all over the United States.  I'm self-taught, for the most part, which is like stumbling around blindfolded while looking for the right door.  It's an on-going process. Lacking any true musical ability, I try to make music with language, while also making meaning.  

Welcome Monstrosity

mythsteps

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