Perfect Chemistry ( Updated Sestina- Poem 9)

Every atom on this earth
aspires to reach its full potential. 
Yet atoms will never be complete, 
without forming that one special bond. 
Noble gases are their ultimate goal- 
Broken bonds of the past leave them weak. 

Chlorine atoms are at first not weak, 
Bonds seemingly limitless on earth. 
Pursues lithim to reach the goal;
Failure to share destroys their potential.
Chlorine drifts to covalent, a similar bond. 
Will bonds with an identical face leave chlorine complete? 

Even the same atom won't compel chlorine complete. 
Chlorine's efforts for its partner become weak. 
Roams in circles in search of the bond-
left nowhere on this minuscule earth. 
"Perhaps I'm not meant to fulfill my potential, 
Maybe I shall give up on this hopeless goal." 

Decides to persist, obsess over the goal. 
Are boron, barium, or bismuth the elements that complete- 
or do flourine and francium have the potential? 
Alas, the bonds between them are weak. 
There must be a bond for every element on Earth! 
Continue to journey for the bond. 

Desperation ensues for the bond,
Goes through all categories to grasp the goal. 
Must be an undiscovered element deeper within earth, 
as alkali metals and halogens too cannot complete. 
All elements doomed to be weak
if chlorine lost its once firm potential. 

Chlorine begins to wither without its potential- 
Sodium suddenly appears, that one special bond. 
Electric touch- chlorine no longer weak!
The one meant to help chlorine finally reach the goal, 
together in harmony, they are complete. 
Na and Cl finally link as they wander the earth. 

Every element could find that deep bond on this earth, 
though we may become weak until we are complete. 
Trust in the potential to reach the distant goal. 


Perfect Chemistry(original)

Every atom on this earth

aspires to reach its full potential. 

But atoms will never be complete,

without forming that one special bond. 

Noble gases are what they desire to be, 

but broken bonds of the past leave them weak. 

Chlorine atoms do not begin weak-

its bonds seemingly limitless on this earth. 

Pursues lithium at first to reach the final goal, 

but they fail to share and lose their original potential. 

Chlorine shifts to covalent, in hopes of finding a more similar bond. 

Would bonding with an identical atom leave chlorine complete? 

Yet even the same atom cannot compel chlorine to be complete, 

chlorine's efforts to find its partner become weak. 

Roams in circles in search of that unique bond- 

is it nowhere to be found on this minuscule earth? 

"Perhaps I'm not meant to fulfill my potential, 

Maybe I should give up on this hopeless goal." 

Decides to persist and obsess over the goal. 

Are boron, barium, or bismuth the elements needed to complete- 

or do flourine and francium have the potential? 

The bonds between them prove to be weak. 

There must be a match for every element on earth! 

Continue to journey for the bond. 

Desperation ensues for the bond, 

chlorine tries almost every category to grasp the goal.

There must be an element undiscovered that lies deeper within earth, 

as alkali earth metals and halogens fail to make chlorine complete. 

Every element must be doomed to be weak, 

if chlorine no longer has its once strong potential. 

As chlorine begins to wither due to no more potential, 

Sodium suddenly appears; that one special bond. 

Electric touch- chlorine no longer weak! 

It's the one meant to help chlorine finally reach its goal, 

together in harmony, they are both complete. 

Na and Cl are finally linked as they wander the earth. 

We see that every element can find that deep bond on this earth, 

though we may become weak until we are finally complete. 

Believe in the potential to reach the distant goal. 

Chronicles of Bowser(Poem 8- Monster Poem-updated)

Mane of fire zooms as he stomps through his den

matching eyebrows etched in rage forever. 

Every player dives to avoid the 

razor-sharp metal daggers of his shell. 

Not only his size, but also his brute 

leave his prey in constant disarray. 

His knifing nails and horns can- 

and will- claw their limbs apart. 

Only object that makes his cold heart soften: 

the blonde bombshell of the land, Princess Peach. 

But his fair maiden belongs to Mario- 

mere mention of that name makes his eyes blaze. 

The two share a history that began close, 

before the Italian ruffian rose to fame,
kicking the beast to the curb

for his green counterpart known as Luigi.  

Bowser alone without even one brother 

in the world of Super Smash Brothers. 

Soul now as hard as his shell 

he turns to Super Smash everything in his path.

One belief ingrained in his mind 

serves as his drive for the scheme: 

'Peach must be blinded by celebrity status

to remain loyal to the villain in red.'

Princess sticks up her nose at Bowser's black magic,
teleportation and shockwaves fail to surprise her.
Fire breathing, physical prowess- all child's play.
His powers right out of a fairytale in her eyes.

Desperate to impress royalty,
Bowser signs up to rival Mario in Mario Kart.
Alas, even with his Koopa tribe and flying Spiny Shells,
Mario shoots right past him into Peach's delicate arms.

If only he had the princess in his grasp, 

would she see Bowser has what Mario lacks. 

He kidnaps poor Peach back to his lair

in hopes of becoming Beauty and the Beast. 

Who will save the princess from his clutches? 

The Italian dynamic duo- 

Mario and Luigi, of course! 

Spring into action, they begin their quest. 

Face to face with the monster himself, 

the pair battle for Peach in this epic duel. 

Bloodshed ensues, Bowser left for dead

as the power couple rides off into the sunset. 

All the characters of the land clap and cheer, 

grateful that order has been restored. 

No longer must they fear Bowser's wrath, 

now that he is defeated for good. 

Little do they know he survived the battle,  

lying in wait when they least suspect it. 

None are aware of the songs he wrote of Peach, 

Or the tears that shed from his burning eyes. 

Pretty in Pink was almost his, 

her baby blues nearly one with his own. 

All snatched away in an instant- 

and every citizen of Super Mario World will pay. 

They will be gone. 

Princess Peach will be his.

Chronicles of Bowser(original)

Mane of fire zooms as he stomps through his den

matching eyebrows etched in rage forever. 

Every player dives to avoid the 

razor-sharp metal daggers of his shell. 

Not only his size, but also his brute 

leave his prey in constant disarray. 

His knifing nails and horns can- 

and will- claw their limbs apart. 

Only object that makes his cold heart soften: 

the blonde bombshell of the land, Princess Peach. 

But his fair maiden belongs to Mario- 

mere mention of that name makes his eyes blaze. 

The two share a history that began close, 

before the Italian scoundrel rose to fame

and kicked the beast to the curb

for his green counterpart known as Luigi.  

Bowser alone without even one brother 

in the world of Super Smash Brothers. 

Soul now as hard as his shell 

he turns to Super Smash everything in his path. 

One belief ingrained in his mind 

serves as his drive for the scheme: 

'Peach must be blinded by celebrity status

to remain loyal to the villain in red.'

If only he had the princess in his grasp, 

would she see Bowser has what Mario lacks. 

He kidnaps poor Peach back to his lair

in hopes of becoming Beauty and the Beast. 

Who will save the princess from his clutches? 

The Italian dynamic duo- 

Mario and Luigi, of course! 

Spring into action, they begin their quest. 

Face to face with the monster himself, 

the pair battle for Peach in this epic duel. 

Bloodshed ensues, Bowser left for dead

as the power couple rides off into the sunset. 

All the characters of the land clap and cheer, 

grateful that order has been restored. 

No longer must they fear Bowser's wrath, 

now that he is defeated for good. 

Little do they know he survived the fight,  

lying in wait when they least suspect it. 

None are aware of the songs he wrote of Peach, 

Or the tears that shed from his burning eyes. 

Pretty in Pink was almost his, 

her baby blues nearly one with his own. 

All snatched away in an instant- 

and every citizen of Super Mario World will pay. 

They will be gone. 

Princess Peach will be his. 

Note: The poem is based on Bowser, the villain of the Super Smash Bros video-game. For more context on the video-game and Bowser's role, click here: http://www.mariowiki.com/bowser

Seasons of Haiku and Tweet Poems(Poem 7-updated)

Lost at sea, just blue
rays on sunshine pierce my face
into my white skin.

Books back in session
our tight-knit clique of five girls
dance through pile of leaves.

Shoulders clenched in frost
His lips on mine revive- whoa!
winter wonderland.

Driving past the house
fuchsia gardens in full bloom!
Rain tears through dark eyes.

Warm air of the night
golden fireworks boom and pop-
could that be magic?

Two exchange faux smiles
eerie pumpkins grin right back
'tis sweater weather.

Owl hoots across dusk
snowflakes swoosh and suddenly
owl cries no longer.

We fall into step
as green blankets conquer white-
our hands intertwine.

Toes sink deep in sand
Horizon sets no limits
Whoosh! goes a harsh wave.

Pumpkin Spice Latte
The basic white girl anthem
Glug. Warm scents of pine.

Imprints of angels
Embalmed in the wet snow-oh!
They have come to life.

April showers bring
certain glow to the soft scene.
Wow! Drink in the drops.

    


Seasons of Haiku and Tweet Poems(original)

Lost at sea, just blue
rays of sunshine penetrate
into my white skin.

Books back in session
dancing through the pile of leaves-
tight-knit clique of five.

Shoulders clenched in frost
His lips on mine revive-whoa!
winter wonderland.

Driving past the house
fuchsia gardens in full bloom!
Rain tears through dark eyes.

Warm air of the night
golden fireworks boom and pop-
could that be magic?

Two exchange faux smiles
eerie pumpkins grin right back
'tis sweater weather.

Owl hoots across dusk
snowflakes swoosh and suddenly
owl cries no longer.

We fall into step
as green blankets conquer white-
our hands intertwine.

Toes sink deep in sand
Horizon sets no limits
Whoosh! goes a harsh wave.

Pumpkin Spice Latte
The basic white girl anthem
Glug. Warm scents of pine.

Imprints of angels
Embalmed in the wet snow-oh!
They have come to life.

April showers bring
certain glow to the soft scene.
Wow! Drink in the drops.

Note: the hashtag in the first twitter poem is referring to Macavity the Cat, a character in the musical "Cats."

Loser(Poem 6- updated performance poem)

Transparent against the locker room walls,
I was always one of the ghosts lurking, unseen.
Short, weak, small fry, not worth a second glance,
easily concealed in cracks and corners of the school.
My brother wasn't born a ghost,
rather, he was one of the gods.
Built bulky and better looking than I,
born in the spotlight, meant to be worshipped.

Constant glances and stares flung in my direction,
cannot recall a day without whispers.
As I stroll down the halls, the guys whoop and high-five,
sly smiles from girls whose names are minor.
But these are people who don't see me,
blinded by my height and football jersey.
Long for the silence my brother enjoys,
forever authentic to chemistry and comic books.

The gods skip through the ghosts obliviously,
mere peasants in their eyes, if they even notice us at all.
As a lowly ghost, I was never on her radar.
I observe as her silky hair glistens behind her,
as she throws her heart-shaped face back in a laugh.
Those emerald eyes capture every poor sap in her gaze,
her tan, taut legs bounce across the glossy floors.
Ladies and gentlemen- my brother's girlfriend.

She rants about the latest faux drama,
her loud mouth increases intensely as she speaks.
My focus is on what lies behind her-
distracted by his eyes crinkling as he grins at a joke.
The leather-bound journal hugged to his plaid chest
makes something inside my abdomen stir.
Only exchanged a few words, but I'm captivated by
my brother's best friend.

If only she could she me as more than a creeping shadow,
my fantasy could become tangible.
As a ghost, I'll always be a
Loser.

Wonder if he sees me in the same light,
but with the false image I uphold,
I'll always remain a
Loser.

Loser(original)

Transparent against the locker room walls,
I was always one of the ghosts lurking, unseen.
Short, weak, small fry, not worth a second glance,
easily concealed in cracks and corners of the school.
My brother wasn't born a ghost,
rather, he was one of the gods.
Built bulky and better looking than I,
born in the spotlight, meant to be worshipped.

***
Constant glances and stares flung in my direction,
cannot recall a day that has passed without whispers.
The guys whoop and high-five me as I stroll the halls,
sly smiles from girls whose names are minor.
But these are people who don't truly see me,
blinded by my height and football jersey.
Long for the silence my brother enjoys,
forever authentic to chemistry and comic books.

***
 The gods skip through the ghosts obliviously,
mere peasants in their eyes, if they even notice us at all.
As a lowly ghost, I was never on her radar.
I observe as her silky hair glistens behind her,
as she throws her heart-shaped face back in a laugh.
Those emerald eyes capture every poor sap in her gaze,
her tan, taut legs bounce across the glossy floors.
Ladies and gentlemen, my brother's girlfriend.

***
She rants about the latest faux drama,
her loud mouth increasing intensely as she speaks.
Yet, my focus is on what lies behind her-
distracted by his eyes crinkling as he grins at a joke.
The leather-bound journal hugged to his plaid chest
makes something inside my abdomen stir.
Only exchanged a few words, but I'm captivated
by my brother's best friend.

***

If only she could she me as more than a creeping shadow,
my fantasy could become tangible.
But I'm just a
Loser.

***

Wonder if he sees me in the same light,
but with the false image I uphold,
I'll always remain a
Loser.

Maenads of the Now (originally Frenzy of the Savages) (Poem 5-updated)

Hips sway back and forth to the sound,

lights bounce across the dark as her limbs vibrate.

Hair roams on her cherubic face,

Arms swing and fly, as if locked in midair.

The force swells and overcomes her soul,

captured by the seizing 
Grasp of the night.

Subsumed under the trance of the Lord,

seduced and starry-eyed by the King.

Drawn away from the flock and into storm,

she enters 
The Empire of the Ruler.

Accepts the drink of duty from his hand,

lets the rapid poison course through her veins.

Back curved into a Roman arch,

breasts exposed-
She begs for blessing.

Judged graciously by his fair Majesty,

the veil lifted, her sisters revealed.

Adorned in fawn skin and green ivy-wreaths,

they welcome her into their intimate embrace.

Dancing as one ecstatic entity,

they thrust and tear their way through man and fire.

The sole maenad* no longer walks alone;

she treks the earth with her new family.

Deeply devout to the god of sweet wine,

Worship until they merge 
with the Master.

Frenzy of the Savages-original

Hips sway back and forth to the spellbound sound,

lights bounce across the dark as her being beats.

Wild hair roams free on her cherubic face, 

Arms swing and fly, as if locked in midair. 

The harsh force gently overcomes her soul,
captured by the sinful grasp of the night.  

Completely under the trance of the Lord, 

seduced, sparkling, starry-eyed by the King.

Drawn away from the flock and into storm, 

she enters the realm of his mystery. 

Accepts the dangerous drink from his full hand, 

lets the rapid poison course through her veins. 

Back curved into an ancient Roman arch, 

bare breasts exposed, she begs for his blessing.
Judged graciously by his fair Majesty,
the veil is lifted, her sisters revealed.
Adorned in fawn skin and green ivy-wreaths,
they welcome her into their close embrace.
Dancing as one ecstatic entity,
they thrust and tear their way through man and fire.
The lone maenad* no longer walks solo;
she treks the earth with her new family.
Deeply devout to the god of sweet wine,
Worship until they merge with the Master.




*Maenads: the immortal female followers of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, as well as ritual madness and ecstasy. Their name literally translates as "Raving ones."