Excuses and The Worst of Me

Two prompted exercises in Robert McDowell's writing workshop 5/1/2016

Excuses

Since the great poets have passed;
Since the great readers hurry past for coffee;
Since the El Nino will rain out the book festival;
To exhibit my work, I will write with Sharpie on my tongue and
In every wrinkle, to exhibit my worth.

The Worst of Me

The worst thing I ever did
Was to disappear from the eyes and ears of others.
At my youngest, I was solitary, powerful,
But a trophy of my own faint praise.

There was admiration from older minds
And toleration from my school yard buds.
After school, I still kept myself lost from view
When opportunity came knocking
knocking
knocking.