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, write an afflicted poem. Someone or something that is afflicted is someone or something that is in a troubled, injured, or humbled state. Or distressed to the point of constant suffering and anguish. In other words, the perfect poem for a Monday, right?

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.

Scar tissue

Jagged white lines
carving rivers,
white rapids
through pale skin,
indicate trauma
from long ago.
Less evident
lightning bolts
cut through
synapses strewn
together rewiring
thoughts, memories
until they blur,
reality mixed
with dreams
creating panic.
Next to deep
pools of blue,
laugh lines
meander seamlessly
through the scars.

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 2014/11/17.