Welcome to the thirteenth day of National Poetry Writing Month. Today I am using the prompt on the NaPoWriMo website. They have said that the number 13 is often considered unlucky, so today they have challenged us to beat the bad luck away with a poem inspired by fortune cookies. Mine is called ‘Fly in the Ointment’

Fly in the Ointment

Fortune favours the brave they say
But I don’t really see it that way
From what I do perceive to be
The one who controls their fate is me
I am not always brave or even bold
I am just me, don’t always do as I’m told

I’ve taken risks throughout my life
Sometimes they pay off, I don’t have to think twice
Other times though, the risk has been huge
I’ve known I had so much to lose
I have come back from these empty-handed
Felt lost and alone and totally stranded

This doesn’t mean that I haven’t been brave
I went out there and I rode that wave
The part where I feel where you are strong
Is picking yourself up despite the wrong
Coming back from all the disappointment
You need to ignore the fly in the ointment

Victoria Welton 13th April 2016