I was challenged by Gene Barry from Blackwater Poetry to complete a 5 day poetry challenge. Apparently, one has to post one poem each day and nominate someone else to do it too.
As I have written more than 5 poems, this challenge was one I knew I would conquer! All I need to do is remember to do this each day.
So, today’s first poem is the first poem I ever won anything for. It was a KCLR competition and Mark Roper was the judge.
Chametz
That day I was Bruce Grobbelaar grasping
shots from soccer stars of the eighties;
Grass-stained knees were trophies of fingertip saves
during Passover on Ian’s estate.
After, we sat on the grass and boasted
about overhead kicks, headers, volleys,
debated who was the best player
on the team, as we learned each other’s names.
Bonded now, Peadar ripped open a packet
of black jacks and offered them around.
As my tongue blackened, I remembered
God’s Laws and spat liquorice out like blood.
Mum told me that God would understand
and spare me but I kept my eyes
on the sky as it darkened that night.
In my bed, a first-born dreamed of death.
Image Credit: http://www.sweetsforu.co.uk/images/black-jack.jpg