By Daniel Paiz

NaPoWriMo hits double digits in this addition, and that means halftime is slowly approaching. There are times when this writing montage feels like a marathon, and there are times when it feels like a spring that’s nearly over. Yesterday, the consistent poems laid down felt a bit tiring.

Today, however, rest comes only after more reps. Only after more scribbling, and writing, and editing, and debating word choices. Rereading a section and deciding to axe this and add that. That weakness has been pushed down the road, as the endurance and strength begin to come back and build up. Failure is growth, and one more can make another barrier less of an obstacle.

One More

My fingers crampin’,

pushing out words at a highly unexpected and alarming rate,

left leg gets shaky and ankle has stiffness,

as the steps add up after more blocks pounded despite a long workday,

pain can be madness, but a cure for sadness,

endorphins feed what flavors truly been missing!

resisting it only prolongs suffering,

discover you’re buttressing what resides underneath,

support what’s pulsating,

no more debating,

exit debilitating timewasters and human disease!

that might’ve been a bit too far,

but focus on what’s raw,

form and sculpt verses you want to see!

leave be those who failed you,

they cease to be in your reality,

you know better,

class is in session,

progression on the menu,

you’re your own chef and coach of self-relief.