Every Day Worthy of the Risk


Poetic Response

Every Day Worthy of the Risk

Love-based guiding light

Photo by Bryan Hanson on Unsplash

These steps pure as morning daisies,
loves kiss upon directional pulling thought
the action-based reality, transforming organically
effortlessly, continuous poet in motion.

Not their cup of tea — for one, maybe three
what is right, wronged by another’s belief
shaming, punishment by death — perpetual tickle
banished to an island — not even an option.

Years passing toadstools begging for a glance
two left feet furthermore not even a chance
hands and knees beseeching just one dance
finally giving up — they come around too late.

Little one’s pitter-patter across the floor
divide and conquer beginning course
self-sacrifice, death-do-us-part — of a bigger whole
one day meet again under the sycamore tree.

Off they run, flying away, emptiness’ saturation point
filling this heart of mine with warmth returning near
collective-sacrifice, born-again amidst the stars
there we are, fleeting debate — union formed once more.

Two hearts beating — carrying slightly variant
yet similar in tune, risk-takers, and rump-shakers
worldly-sacrifice, analogous in daily expressions
one is requesting time of the other, dropping everything — lovely.

~ Ani Po


Photo by Dušan veverkolog on Unsplash

I sat with this prompt, allowing the dance to commence. So many sacrifices made in the name of love, failing or not, it was as it was supposed to be. Not all morning daisies, especially when the children arrived.

Yet, we share a common dance, self-sacrifice, collective-tune, occasional stepping of the toes. Beaten pillows, cursing my name, witnessing her death blindly without her knowing.

There have been risks, cliff-hangers quite literally, answering her phone call as if it was the last. Again, quite literally, actually repeating that phrase, is it poetic, twas meant to be placed quite literally, a thousand examples of risking the death of a heartbeat shared collectively.

My apologies for the prose and poetic continuation, meant to be a seriousness of descriptor and possible decoder ring as Marcus would say, uncertain if it was a deliberate malfunction, failing to turn off the dance, or merely a deliberate act of taking a risk, knowing I might fail regarding matters of love.

I chose the Tapir photo deliberately, symbolizing having to choose between false-self and being true to self, no matter the outcome or fate, whilst remaining highly inventive, innovative, and taking necessary chances.


Thank you Diana C. for holding such sacred space in KTHT and Riku Arikiri for this lovely prompt.


Much gratitude for those who take time to read, ponder and allow the inner workings of self to come forward. Grateful for the feedback, love shared, and more importantly the Dance with Inspiration. Deep Peace.

Joseph Lieungh

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash

Zoo Station: Even Better than the Real Thing


Bring Out Your Rock Poem

Zoo Station

Even better than the real thing

Photo by Kyrylo Kholopkin on Unsplash

We will. We will. We will rock you.
We will. We will. We will rock you.

Don’t believe the hype was the prequel
electrifying sounds as B.A.D. in my dreams
lights dimming low, emergency broadcast interrupting
call to action, resounding intonations.

We will. We will. We will rock you.
We will. We will. We will rock you.

Trabants ghostly appearances
lighted cranes affixed, strobes in every seat
flashing in chaotic tune, overstimulated filling
stadiums capacity an awe-inspired Crowded House —Don’t dream it’s over.

The latter not present, just Public Enemy — number one
to the Zoo as a Fly, even better than the real thing
words falling short, mesmerizing vibratory beats,
Bono was leading the charge.

Until the end of the world moving in mysterious ways
never have I witnessed such a display
fireworks, flyovers bought and paid — declaration
of a new era post-Achtung Baby.

Excited, Bad to the bone
Rock me Amadeus — play-on words not making the cut
still to this day — George H.W. can be heard
with or without you

We will. We will. We will rock you.
We will. We will. We will rock you.

~Ani Po


Photo by Todd Poirier on Unsplash

One of my favorite concerts has to be U2’s Zoo TV tour, performed at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

While I cannot recall the order of who opened, Big Audio Dynamite or Public Enemy, both having an entertaining act, still fell short of the opening to the concert.

After the prequel of Public Enemy, the lights dimmed to over 62,000 fans waiting for U2 to take the stage, with a planned “Emergency Broadcast message” by the United States president dubbed to Queen’s We will Rock You — this being the real opening act, the President saying we will rock you.

With Trabant cars attached to cranes waving back and forth, strobe-like effects by thousands of old-fashioned televisions throughout the stadium, U2 began luring and mesmerizing their fans. Throw in pyrotechnics and a flyover by military fighter jets — over-stimulated was an understatement to the show.

The Trabant began production after the Berlin Wall was built, having the supply of Volkswagen cut off.East German manufacture produced the Trabant from 1957–1990, with production collapsing when the wall collapsed. Although U2 and their Production Designer Willie Williams had a somewhat nostalgic feel for the car, AutoTrader dubbed it the worst car ever.

Thank you J.D. Harms for this rocking prompt and triggering this fond memory.


Much gratitude for those who take time to read, ponder and allow the inner workings of self to come forward. Grateful for the feedback, love shared, and more importantly the Dance with Inspiration. Deep Peace.

Joseph Lieungh

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash