Prompt: Serious or Silly The idea starts like a light Like the green light in The Great Gatsby Beckoning me towards it with its siren song of “Follow me.” All of a sudden, I’m down the rabbit hole What starts as a small idea Overwhelms me like a tidal wave It becomes an uphill climb trying to fight my way out, to fight for control. Then the winds change I find myself in the eye of the hurricane I... Read more
Mondays can be a pain They shake us out of Sunday’s calm and remind us to go back to work. On the other hand, Mondays begin a whole new week New plans to make, new goals to achieve. Mondays can be manic, but there’s no need to panic. After all, it could be worse. It could be a troublesome Tuesday! Read more
Prompt: Emotion Happiness is waking up on Sunday, the sunlight streaming into your bedroom. You wake up, dreams of last night gone astray, but the dream was good or so you assume. Happiness is making a cup of tea: kettle-boiled water, lemon, and syrup. You drink it up, feel the serenity, then say a thankful prayer to gear up. Happiness is being with those you love, the ones who know what’s in your heart. The need for small talk... Read more
Ode to The Library Dear Library, Thank you for being my favorite hiding place All throughout the days that I called myself a student. No matter what happened or where I was, I knew I could find safety in your silent shelves. In high school, I could sit amongst the likes of Austen and Shakespeare While reading romance novels or comic books or whatever new book caught my eye that day. In college, I would grab a small pile... Read more
Prompt: Doodle poem Doodles I liked to draw little five pointed stars Pentacles, enclosed in circles Dreaming. I don’t want to be here I love to read and write But adventure is out there and I’m stuck This is the sixth circle of hell A white-walled box called “school.” Nobody understands me here at all Changing All of my friends have grown up or moved out I’m stuck waiting for my freedom Alone I write I make stories Each story... Read more
Prompt: Urban In my perfect life, I don’t have to drive anywhere. I’d be living in the city. Everywhere I need to be Is either a walk, a bus, or a train ride away. I would start my day looking out at the city Eating breakfast out on a terrace or a fire escape The cacophany of the traffic is music to my ears. The city becomes my muse as the morning light reflects off of every skyscraper, bathing... Read more
Prompt: Write an ekphrastic poem. An ekphrastic poem is a poem inspired by art. Inspired by the 6th Station of the Cross. It’s been said that you once bled for 12 years. When He healed you, He called you “Daughter.” Just how old are you? What happened after He healed you? What brought you here now, to His hour of death? Why did you bring that veil with you? How did you get past the guards? How long did you... Read more
Prompt: Experience/Inexperience Most jobs have “experience” as a requirement People casting out lines, learning the art of enticement But you can’t get experience without a job Even with a degree, people have to lob Getting a real job isn’t something we instinctively knew No knowledge from school is enough to break through. Do resumes really capture the full extent of our worth? Can a cover letter give us an opportunity’s birth? Every interview feels like a bad date You’re expected... Read more
Last night I had a dream. I was travelling somewhere. The sky was clear. The road was ahead. People were waiting for me. In the seat next to mine, my mother asks me: “Do you want to go?” I really wanted to At the same time, I was scared. “I don’t know,” I said. “That’s okay,” she said. “We can go home and wait until you are.” So the car started up and I woke up. How I wanted to... Read more
The first time I said those three words to somebody I was just sixteen It was my first kiss Shared with a star-crossed “lover” Boy was I stupid I don’t think I meant it Got caught up in the moment Summer loves don’t last I said them again to someone else years later I meant it this time He was a lost soul Wandering in the darkness Wanting me with him But I chose the light of a bright... Read more
Monique Ocampo Writes
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