All writing

as I approach the magic mirror
the ripples race across its surface
as if the glass is getting nervous
the image isn't getting clearer

I hear a muffled groan: please stop it
you know that I don't like this game
I just might crack some day, so drop it
you'll only have yourself to blame

please calm yourself, you ancient djinny
I tell the tepid magic creature
I find the ripples your best feature
just checking if I'm getting skinny

damn you and your accursed empire
the mirror says, its voice annoyed
how did I wind up with a vampire
I should have stayed and worked for Freud

Author notes: image from Pinterest wc 109 https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792625-Fantasy-1080

keep lists of tasks
and of old grudges
surgical masks
and angry judges
of minor slights
and of imagined
of unseen sites
unbelieved legends
of friends you've lost
and never gotten
increasing costs
and dates forgotten

keep lists of all of those, in dudgeon
and so congrats: you're a curmudgeon

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792778-List-Poem

when I consider decimals
splendid in their agility
and their innate ability
to count the infinitesimals

and now, old Roman numerals
extinct, numeric dinosaurs
for those of you, who’re keeping scores
they use them – still -- to test your skills
converting, simply for the thrills
those math teachers can sure be bores

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792811-Decima-form-poems-

he's surely made from different cloth
the patient, sedentary sloth
you ask him: what you've done today
"just hanging out" is what he'll say
there's always enough time, it seems
as he pursues his slothy dreams
thrill of the chase, don't make him laugh
"go slow" will be his epitaph

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792623-Contest-on-the-Sloth--an-intriguing-animal-

as I belt out my ho, ho, hose
I get one squarely on the nose
now I'm more careful with my shlong
and try to sing a different song
my trojan here is bearing gifts
hose of my horse, hear my new riffs

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792492-Quote-contest

a burning stove
faint smell of clove
and memories thereof

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792549-word-prompt-clove--10-words-exactly

my grandpa, may god rest his soul
enjoyed cigars and alcohol
I liked him fine, but I have plans
and science makes its own demands
time traveled to the past, bought stocks
but had to test the paradox
and so I went and shot him dead
but I was not unmade -- instead
returned in time for dinner...but
turns out that grandma was a slut

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792575-time-travel-

this space
intentionally left
blank

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792587-Your-Tombstone-Epitaph

the egret's elegant ballet
observed by gently swaying reeds
he pirouettes, a grand display:

come lover, and fulfil my needs

let us commence our brief romance
the water waits to make a splash
do you not see my urgent dance
my wings extended as I dash

come and I'll fly you to new heights
and hold you breathless on the wing
our feathers singing their delights
as we perform the rites of spring

come, there's no need to be a prude
here we shall raise our egret brood
display for lovers, young and old
let's give them something to behold

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792474-Fantasy-1079 wc 100

Давно забыл где я родился
Козалось бы, совсем вчера
Для тех из нас кто отлучился
Как дни, забывши вечера
Как моряки, те понимают
И слышат зов своих портов
Так мы, хотя нас обнимают
все слышим скрип тех парусов

I’ve long forgotten my old birth place
Though it may seem like yesterday
For those of us that packed our suitcase
As night is alien to day
like lifetime sailors that acknowledge
The longing for their ports of hail
As we are hugged, with all our haulage
We feel the tugging of that sail

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792491-Homelands---3-Must-be-in-two-languages.- written in Russian translated to English

keep your hands steady on the grip
and once you shoot empty the clip

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792545-20-words-or-fewer

for those about to die: salute
that's not for us, is it, old Brute?