Side Note:

I’m taking part in the 2014 PAD challenge, which means this is a break in what I usually post. Today’s Poem is to:

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “(blank) Trouble,” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and write the poem. Possible titles include: “Big Trouble,” “Double Trouble,” and “That Guy Is Trouble.” I hope you don’t have too much trouble getting started.

Instead of writing for NaNoWriMo, I’ve decided to make these poems inspired by the second draft of my work-in-progress, currently titled “Arch Villains”. It will also be posted in the PAD Challenge post.

Toil and Trouble

My hard work paid off
known in some circles
for pulling off
the impossible
clients now pursue me.

Dream projects
built to exacting specifications
l cannot contractually
call my own.
A personal portfolio
programmed perfectly
that only the client knows.

Is it worth the effort
the constrictive contractual
clauses co-written
to provide safety
for myself
and my clients,
when I cannot share
them with my peers?

How about you?

Are you participating in the 2014 PAD Challenge or NaNoWriMo? Let me know your experience in a comment below, or find me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Plus, sign up for free e-mail updates from this blog in the top right-hand corner of the page.

This post was first published at http://atomic-temporary-30814180.wpcomstaging.com 2014/11/10.