Lexington Poetry Month Writing Challenge (#LexPoMo)

Category

Poem

The Finch

When I spot the bit of yellow, I wonder
how it feels to be made of the holy color
I think it must feel marvelous
up on a winners podium nominated for lucky
To streak the sky, blue & filled
with treacherous planes, under the
pines, graced with the very sunrise.

Roberta Schultz

Category

Poem

6/28/26

Status Quo

Out the window–green
against gray cotton cloud banks.
No change. Nothing moves.

Neofight67

Category

Poem

6/28/26

“Opiate of The Masses”

I was conceived in worry

6 of 7,

Curled into a fetal position

mother’s womb a warm deluge,

Now I wonder if the squeeze and

push was worth the juice,

Obviously, she cried Jesus

Keep me near the cross and heaven,

The world blurred my vision

I thought I have things to prove,

God knows I called on Jesus

But I ran wild with the boys and Jesús,

Sunday go to meeting

Communion bread unleavened,

Selfishly inflict this inquisition

Often embarrassing and so rude,

Scenes open, curtain closed

Contemplate all faith being a ruse.

RUDY THOMAS

Category

Poem

6/28/26

She was leaning

She was leaning

        one leg
        her left one
        folded up
        and back
        against the
        column.

        The leg
        gave the impression
        she was leg up
        her back
        straight against the
        column

        and the white
        dress short
        like a tennis
        player, her shoes
        high tops
        without socks

        her face, white,
        tells me abort
        tennis
            star, and the shoes
        stops,
        blocks

        athlete, quickly
        I survey
        her face,
        my eyes,
        blink,
        she is gone

        quickly
        I see the way
        she owns the place
        my heart tries
        to think
        I am alone

        but we are
        on the same flight,
        I ask what luck,
        fate, it would be
        if we had seats
        across

        from one another,
my luck,
        fate or wish
        was answered.
        she in seat 18C
        and me in 18D
        so I make the first

        move…

Greg F

Category

Poem

6/28/26

departure

Mom and Dad wave good-
bye, my first time leaving home—
the lump returns now

night before I leave
an old guy’s good-bye to Rome
when it’s my home now.

EDL

Category

Poem

6/28/26

Environmental Noise Alert

He dreamed of
screaming at
the world.
It was always
so loud.

If only it could stay
quiet for even a minute.
He prayed he would hear
messages from his own mind.
Hoping he’d learn to ignore
the noise of the world,
telling stories he
didn’t care for.

Most days, only one
voice besides his own
mattered.

It was hers.

Elena E

Category

Poem

6/28/26

Nothing really happens

Two beers, I pick the label off your bottle.
I should welcome what you offer.
Shouldn’t be angry.
At the end of the night I lather soap
under cold water over your hand
while you wrestle a ring off then bruise
your own elbow on the sink edge. At least
we laugh at that.