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Holding Water
TheFeatheredSleep brings a meditation on apparent confidence to The Hijacked Amygdala
What I wouldn’t say out loud;
At a dinner party, when the conversation turns to
matters of personal identity and the such.
That I live in a country where
self-confidence is in the very water alongside Chlorine
And possibly many pissed out Pharmacuticals
I don’t know how they import it or how they bottled it
in the first place
but everyone takes a long swig
and grows up self-important and rarely doubting
their worth
A la the internalized cheerleader
I must therefore hail
from an island of thorns
because I didn’t get inoculated against
the sumptuous barbs
my skin punctures at the slightest retort
I bled easily even after I cauterized the wound.
Necessarily, this has caused some
discomfort
people don’t get how
someone can hate themselves
be a painted sin eater
for all insult
until that gobstopper of internalized anguish
turns on them and it feels like
it’s always…
View original post 259 more words
Breaking Stone – iido
iido pens a poem of bravery for the Pride Anthem Challenge.
I looked at you
With your short hair and black square glasses
An 80s band t-shirt tucked into slim waist, denim shorts that fell a tad below your knees
I could see the curved outline of your breast when you turned to look at me
Appreciatively
Like I was looking at you.
Hey, you said
The simple greeting caused my skin to pucker
While you moistened, then bit your full bottom lip
And readjusted your glasses with slender, honey colored fingers topped with dark purple nail polish
Hey, I said
Because that’s the best pick up line.
And so We started
Asking and answering
Feeling out yet avoiding the urge to touch
Softness against softness.
Then the hard truth came around the corner
Time to go, babe, he said
The sadness in your eyes
As my face fell in my hands and
My fear of the truth hardening
Until I…
View original post 197 more words
June 17, 2019 Writing Prompt Challenge: I’m The Only One
Today’s Pride Anthem Challenge theme – “I’m The Only One”
Throughout the month of June, I will be providing a daily writing prompt based on a Pride Anthem. You can integrate the words of the prompt or any element of the song (or music video) in your piece that creatively inspires you. Although I strongly encourage pieces that touch on the lived experience of those who identify as LBGTQ, it is not a requirement.
If you would like to have your piece considered for publication on Brave and Reckless, email your prompt inspired pieces to me at her.red.pen.wordsmithing@gmail.com .
You can also participate on Facebook by tagging your writing with:
- # the title of the daily theme
- #PrideAnthemChallenge
- @braveandreckless66
or on Instagram by tagging your writing with:
You can also share your response piece in the comments below.
I’m The Only One
Please baby can’t you see
My mind’s a burnin’ hell
I got razors a rippin’ and…
View original post 214 more words
Monday Poetry
Some poetry from Patricia Harris to start the week
She Wore Emptiness-Kindra M. Austin
Kindra M. Austin brings a daughter’s meditation to H,L,&M
She wore emptiness,
and I condemned her mantle, as I had
Jehovah-god
and all the men possessed by
devil’s hands.
And
I convicted
her—
Murder
of the
Self.
She wore emptiness,
and never learned one goddamned lesson. Sometimes
fists make
poorly teachers;
maybe mine’ve made a difference. Maybe
I
should’ve beaten her, too.
Purple was her favorite color:
symptom of her
madness.
She wore emptiness,
and I wish I’d stripped her
bare
of
all—
before the world,
in face of Hell and eyes of
Heaven.
I wish I’d screamed her truths.
Those gagging truths inside my mouth,
behind my teeth and
tiger crouching,
taunting my unwilling
throat.
I wish I’d taken emptiness
and made it into
hope.
I need some fucking hope,
but
I
wear
emptiness
in
her
stead. And
what honor is there in taking up her mantle?
Mama,
I’m sorry.
I couldn’t do no better.
© 2019 Kindra…
View original post 149 more words
Morning, My Nemesis
Christine Ray – The day begins, body in rebellion
open one eye
clock tells woeful tale
I overslept
again
sit slowly so room doesn’t spin
drunk-stagger to dress
lean my back against wall
to keep balance
looking every inch as bad
as I feel
numbness becomes radiating pain
that takes my breath away
seems ironic
shouldn’t it hurt less
if I have lost sensation?
try not to drop anything on the floor
I no longer bend
sometimes the past catches me cold
leaves me stuck in the middle of the room
trapped
© 2017 Christine Elizabeth Ray – All Rights Reserved
I hate living in a country where so many people think my son is abomination who deserves to die.
LuckyOtter – The surpassing ugliness of hate
Pride Parade, New York City, 2019
Just this past week, I read this and this (a video of Fritts’ disgusting sermon calling for the execution of LGBTQ people is linked in the article, if you can stand to watch it). I felt literally sick to my stomach both times and almost had to vomit.
Fritts, the homophobic police officer, has since been relieved of his duties, but it’s the first article that’s really disturbing. A group of “Christian” preachers are having a “Make America Straight Again” event in Orlando, Florida, in response to “Pride Week.” Last I heard, free speech was still legal in America, so of course people have the right to express homophobic opinions. But what’s really chilling is that one of the preachers leading the event is praying for violence against the LGBTQ community during their Pride events being held in the same city! Not only…
View original post 628 more words
You Make Me Feel – iva markicevic
For the Pride Anthem Challenge, iva markicevic tells how someone makes her feel
you make me feel
like roaring flames in
a forest of night turned
forest of light
that illuminates
the destruction left behind –
can you feel my heart(beat)
like marching feet in
a military attack (we’re always in attack
mode) – i hope you
sent your postcards home
because after tonight,
there’ll be nothing left
to visit.
iva markicevic is a wanderer and poet. she divides her time between working towards her computer science degree, reading, and wishing she was on a secluded beach. for more from iva, check out her instagram via her handle @sa.te.llights
June 16, 2019 Writing Prompt Challenge: Kiss The Boy
Day 16 of the Pride Anthem Chakkenge – Kiss The Boy
Throughout the month of June, I will be providing a daily writing prompt based on a Pride Anthem. You can integrate the words of the prompt or any element of the song (or music video) in your piece that creatively inspires you. Although I strongly encourage pieces that touch on the lived experience of those who identify as LBGTQ, it is not a requirement.
If you would like to have your piece considered for publication on Brave and Reckless, email your prompt inspired pieces to me at her.red.pen.wordsmithing@gmail.com .
You can also participate on Facebook by tagging your writing with:
- # the title of the daily theme
- #PrideAnthemChallenge
- @braveandreckless66
or on Instagram by tagging your writing with:
You can also share your response piece in the comments below.
Kiss the Boy
I’ve been afraid of my place
Of this way
Of my feelings
But I’m amazed at how…
View original post 502 more words
