Gideon’s Challenge – The Teeth

Weird Teeth Stuffed Animals

The Teeth

They have teeth

weirdly realistic
anatomical
and yellowed
teeth

blunt
and bared
for all to see
all the way
back
to the molars

and I shudder

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge – The Return

Daffodil Sprouts

The Return

Green is the color
that has been
missed
in the long months
of winter
as the cold
nips at skin
and gray
covers the sky
in a heavy blanket
while waiting
for Spring
to arrive

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge – Mornings

Mornings

No energy drinks
no coffee
no caffeine
no pain pills
no hot showers
just protein bars
and lots of pain
is how
each day starts
in the
pre dawn morning
while everyone else
sleeps
and I rise
to start the day

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge – So Much Fun

So Much Fun

A new neighbor
moves in
and what do I see
but the
Koolaid Man
staring back
at me
from their
bathroom window
with lots of friends
and it stirs
the kind of smile
I can’t pretend

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge – Seek Peace

Seek Peace

A reminder
tucked away
colorful
but forgotten
on the counter
in the corner
catching the eye
and I reach
to dust them off
and set them
a little more
prominently
to touch others
as they
touched me

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge – Husk

Husk

Wrecked and ruined
fallen and forgotten
the sky above
a plane of gray
as the soil
beneath
draws in too much
stealing away
all that I am
and all
that I could be
as raindrops
hang heavy
in clouds above
but do not
drop

Photo © ZenStatePhotography