By Scott Bailey © 2026
The river was swift today
Swollen by the snows
Dancing and leaping on its inexorable course
I wonder
If it could sweep away my aches and pains
My sorrows and my stress
Could the sea accept them?
In response to malformed_poetry’s prompt
https://www.threads.com/@malformed_poetry/post/DTVZ8MNjIvb?xmt=AQF01KbeEDCHTUus1GL7g7QuD2jxSq2BHeNdAdxpgl58Wp14unFU9sFK3lqVRgiWD6aufk1T&slof=1
By Scott Bailey © 2026
Those nights
Hazy, noisy, filled with cheers and beers
They were amongst my fondest memories
Now those nights
Are tinged with sorrow and guilt
They were the red flags we failed to see
Those nights
Were the peak before the decline
What could we have said to save you?
In response to malformed_poetry’s prompt
https://www.threads.com/@malformed_poetry/post/DTSzXGmAnOe?xmt=AQF0kn4EzqdMFFhP0F4HBdFsZjtnz8RXes_0HFEfF4HYZ4BwL73g6stC9737y1yuwlApCSA&slof=1
By Scott Bailey © 2026
I want back
The future I was promised
The rewards
For years of dedication, loyalty, determination
The share of the fruits of my labour
Instead
We have the emptiness
That was always
Behind the lies
In response to malformed_poetry’s prompt
https://www.threads.com/@malformed_poetry/post/DTQNfWHgqCW?xmt=AQF0AVJbQkkLzqJyO8c77M7OauJEjiSFMDR4GsroOerTYKbTxvQ1J1_YihrMxTk9H91UUYKe&slof=1
By Scott Bailey © 2026
Hands were proffered
Slapped away
Invites offered
I said, not today
If only
If only
If only
I would not be grieving
Eluded joy
In response to malformed_poetry’s prompt
https://www.threads.com/@malformed_poetry/post/DTLC85djCRF?xmt=AQF0uoQKfXRNFAMGGG4K2zGIsJlHtlHGB1rSJCqw16opDUYRbif9LA-xASAcDq_A6tuz-48&slof=1
By Scott Bailey © 2026
Step by step
Trembling, shuffling
Step by step
On the narrow span of stone
Stretching off into darkness
Unknown length
Vertigo threatening
Trembling, shuffling
Step by step
Pressed forward
By the weight of the crowd behind
Who need you
To continue
Step by step
Trembling, shuffling
Not courage
Not duty
Just the weight of need
Of the others
In response to malformed_poetry’s prompt
https://www.threads.com/@malformed_poetry/post/DTIfNARjrqN?xmt=AQF00EwUoDRZLgvJfRRUMgEpyIo4jjUpkaSiZN2_r39zpmEwXg4NXYUti925aq459pARpFm_&slof=1
By Scott Bailey © 2026
An empty affair
And it meant nothing I swear
The heart stays broken
In response to malformed_poetry’s pompt
By Scott Bailey © 2026
An elephant.
Rendered by time and water
And wanting minds
Myths and legends might arise
Tales of the transformation from flesh to stone
Of the final, enduring, beast
Long after the last real elephant
Has been forgotten
In response to: https://www.threads.com/@malformed_poetry/post/DTAx0UQDCgS?xmt=AQF0FyV3mRIiPxTaOZonNRwewCckhS8cfH468GY1w2E8hfAIJyv4084_D40x8iX14N_zmRQ&slof=1
So, I am undertaking another poetry challenge by trying to respond to the daily prompt by malformed_poetry on threads (check them out!). I will reply their on the thread but will post here too.
I may or may not succeed, I am putting no pressure on myself. Just trying to get the juice flowing again.
By Scott Bailey © 2026
Those who see
Are frozen with fear
Drowning in syrup
As the future approaches
Wondering what can we do.
What can we do?
Scott Andrew Bailey - Author 