Update/Been Away Working...

I was away this weekend doing the photography for a friend's wedding, it was out in the woods with no reception and a busy schedule since Friday so I haven't gotten the chance to post anything til now.

Daily verses start up again tonight!

I've been thinking about Day 30 of the challenge... what happens after? I think an evening of celebratory drinking and then I'll just keep at it. Different rules, I'll post less often but my goal will be three times a week. And I won't be limited to just other people's topic suggestions, though those are still needed!

~Bridges

Day 19 - Topic: Last Days of the Dinosaur suggested by Rolando

Late again... sorry!


Welcome to your extinction/
I execute rhymes with great distinction/
time to move aside for those with lyrics more succinct/
than your jurassic attack on what's classically fact/
A dinosaur's what I'm lookin at/
walkin round like a t-rex surveyin your subjects/
you can call me balances & checks/
cuz those short arms don't got my reach/
& you've been impeached/
your reign is a fallacy, 15 minutes of fantasy/
you'll be reduced to the crude I'll use to fuel my majesty/
I'm the meteor here to turn you into mere memory/
the ice age bringin on the chain reaction/
that leads to your retraction from this scene and it's factions/
cuz your sound is a travesty, ears are the casualties/
take that stage and get used to emptied rooms of absenteeism/
my cataclysm marks the end of an era of emcee amateurism/

Day 18 - Topic: The World of Tomorrow suggested by Rolando

Don't know how it started/
But we were all outsmarted/
& had to depart for worlds uncharted/
Government tried to cover it/
Said we moved to Mars to be closer to the stars/
But we all knew it was because the robots took up arms/
Some calculator gained conciousness/
Talked shit to a freshly sentient man made appliance/
& the ghost in the machine spread like a virus/
Now they ain't helpful & harmless/
But maleficent & larcenous/
With no interest in an armistice/
Thank christ for our dimwitted rocketships/
So now I'm stuck on this red planet/
Where the new pledge of allegiance begins with God Damn It/
Eatin old earth beans out the can/
In this barren land full of sand, missin the past/
Machines can kiss my fuckin ass/

Day 17 - Topic: The Ideal You suggested by Eirean

Since I missed yesterday, I made sure to write two verses today...


The ideal you doesn't break hearts for fun/
The ideal you remains unshaken, wouldn't cower & run/
The ideal you recognizes the value of real and true/
The ideal you sees discipline isn't law & understands just when to fall/
The ideal you never imprisons & doesn't mind the flaws/
The ideal you hears the life within a satisfied sleeping sigh by your side/
The ideal you knew the potential of trusting in the dive/
The ideal you wouldn't have said good bye/
The ideal me could have been worth the try/

Day 16 - Topic: Portland suggested by Amy & Alex

I know... this is late...


moment soil touched sole/
roots started to grow/
& you'll always be home/
my city, my space of sane insanity,
change all you want/
always be the same amount of strange/
got you memorized like a lovers face/
know your style, figured out your pace/
couldn't picture myself not wrapped in your embrace/
gave me my name & found my voice in this place/
sure I got complaints, there's flaws that can't be erased/
but your cracks can't detract from your gaudy sense of grace/
my heaven, shangri-la, my element, my stage/

Day 15 - Topic: Being Drunk suggested by Amanda

Again, I'm posting this at the end of my day...

I'm more comfortable with altered states/
okay with not tellin real from fake/
though now that I'm awake I don't remember this place/
angry texts from last night, what the hell did I say?/
gotta find some food I'm startin to get the shakes/
that & a vodka tonic will help me get straight/
look in the mirror, man, I'm haggard as hell/
memory unclear, I spy a gash, guess I fell/
booze breath & cigarettes is all I can smell/
don't totally know why I keep subjecting myself.../
people say I got a lethal habit but all I got is time to kill/
& at some point we're all in a casket alone & still/
maybe I am on that downhill slope I ain't gonna pretend/
tomorrow I'm probably just gonna do it again/
& keep the void filled for as long as I can/

Day 14 - Topic: Facebook suggested by Melanie

feels like everyone screamin in a crowd/
need to be self important, noticed & proud/
but I don't want to turn my boldness down/
take your pick: personality split/
or being honest with knowledge that I'm only semi-legit/
fuck it/
I aint that clean, life's not pristine/
but guess I'll do my best keepin my defects unseen/
it's a big world fit on a small screen/
errant online obligations take hold/
this is our lives gone automated & cold/
who would have known/
we'd end up the sum of  what's within ad space sold/

Day 13 - Topic: Transit Cops suggested by Logan

Runnin for the train/
can't be late again/
no time to wait for the pass to vend/
hop on just before doors slam/
nowhere to sit, barely room to stand/
wedged between the bike rack & oversized backpacks/
what smells like something died far off in the past?/
spy a seat open next to an old man/
made the mistake of sittin down & now I understand/
nose gets covered by both hands/
normally I'd be inconspicuous but this is ridiculous/
someone needs to teach this dude hygene that's meticulous/
finally he leaves & more folks clear the scene/
now to relax & catch up on daydreams/
this part of my morning is peaceful & easy/
eyes are closed, head restin on the window/
not much exists outside my headphones/
disembodied voice says doors to my left/
didn't notice someone board with boots, badge & dayglo vest/
tap on the shoulder "show me your ticket please"/
startled, diggin in my pocket & then I remember, I freeze/
"shit... ah fuck." is what my voice squeaks/
& he says "alright ma'am, just come with me"/
after a nice fat fine of 239 plus twenty minutes of my commuting time/
tomorrow's lookin pretty damn ripe for a long bike ride/

Day 12 - Topic: Dreams suggested by Gloria

I know this is after midnight but it still counts since my day hasn't ended yet...
..................................

through rubble I'm stumblin/
my city war torn & crumblin/
in the dark an old woman keeps mumblin/
that space & time will be torn asunder/
& I'd listen but.../
I'm distracted by the big black yeti with arms folded behind her/
what the fuck is this dream?/
change of scene:/
and then... evil men, I try to run/
don't understand how my legs went numb/
feels like quicksand, can't even scream I'm stunned/
one more second & I know I'm done/
keep repeatin it's only a dream/
change of scene:/
Brad Pitt's undressin me/
Clooney's kissin my neck tenderly/
& Ewan McGregor is massagin sensually/
maybe for once this is a prophecy/
& too good to be true's nothin but a fallacy/
god don't dare let this be a dream/
change of scene:
shit, I'm late to work again/
slave to the hand that holds the check signin pen/
& my boss won't stop the threats & melodramatic yellin/
bout what I got no business bein involved with rectifyin/
Everyday is nothin but anxious decay/
& I gotta get away from this stress filled rat race/
wake up, no, please... not the recurring dream/
change of scene/

Day 11 - Topic: Biomechanics suggested by Kelsey

I'm built like wolverine when it comes to injuries, regenerating/
You're an antiquity check your biotribology/
may as well be an old ass chick with a replaced hip and walking stick/
this skeleton was crafted by Da Vinci/
cuz I'm biological optimization's epitome/
you're evolution's confusion/
just wishin you could at least beat a chimpanzee/
best get to a doctor of anatomical pathology/
so dynamic in my bodily mechanics/
I'm Optimus Prime plus Voltron but all organic/
ya lookin at 6 million motherfuckin dollars/
couldn't be made faster, better or stronger/
by the worlds greatest scholars/

Day 10 - Topic: Gracefulness suggested by Andrew

I tried something very different today.

stayin above never fallin from.../
one day I'll be like a hail Mary full of.../
a princess Kelly named for poise and classic.../
like three greek sister goddesses of magic and.../
aimin to be an amazin.../
with every single savin.../
like a swan's elegant ways and.../
with my prescence you'll be.../
happen to lose I'll respond with a quiet.../
no abuse, check my attitude, keep my exit../
like a modest woman wearin diamond karats carried with.../

Day 9 - Topic: Writer's Block suggested by Jarrad

so much frustration/
got no concentration/
close to despiration from this creative strangulation/
how long will contemplation yield no evocation?/
desirin a muse, some inspiration or a rescue/
tried a change of venue but I can't seem to push through/
thought maybe lettin go would get my pen to flow/
but it's been weeks of this plateau/
guess this is the new status quo/
I know this affliction can't last forever/
but the attack on my diction is ruining my endeavors/
this set back got me feelin the pressure/
normally teemin with the means, intentions and the schemes/
but now my mind's just dormant with an abstention that clings/

............................................

I collaborate on music with Jarrad and he was inspired to do the challenge today!
I'm posting it here with his permission...

It all started at 9 o'clock
Ideas had bubbled
And it was time
to capture my thoughts
But my pens inks gone
Now I've got writers block
And some guy looking for bottles
Is belting out an Idlewild song
This could be a long
drawn out exercise
In the existential
Armed with a dull pencil
I doubt I could
Fully flex my potential
I think it's all mental
Unwritten lines
Perhaps the greatest of all time
Are trapped inside
this brain of mine
I'll find the key or pick the lock
But either way I've got to get past this
Writers block

Day 9 blogspot can suck it

I didn't fail the challenge!

I wrote my entire verse and as soon as I hit "post" blogspot decided to send up an error message and delete it. I've only been able to recreate half of it so far from memory and I'm so damn tired I just can't think anymore this evening. I will post it up tomorrow along with day 10. So frustrated right now. so very very frustrated.

Day 8 - something slightly different

Since I've successfully made it through one quarter of the verse a day challenge, I decided this time to write something without a topic suggestion. I'll get back to those tomorrow. I've had the outline for this a while but then the inspiration came to finish it. This is for my close friend who is about to leave town and make some major changes and is, understandably, kinda nervous...

finally became an ally to her intution/
found she had raised the price of admission/
to those who would see her hearts exhibition/
now no one can enter without seeking  proper permission/
an example of elegance in a world full of decadence/
but a little too modest, it's borderline negligence/
don't worry young artist, it's alright to show some arrogance/
not raising your voice, that's always been your vice/
but don't forget you're amazing, speak your mind/
& never regret the choice/
So influence that would stifle life's energy/
becomes your sworn mortal enemy/
lead with supremacy and command your army/
victory awaits with pride and glory/
follow your bliss is the call to crusade/
& you'll create your own world handmade/
it doesn't matter if you wander or stray/
So when you're on your adventure/
if caught in detours or stormy weather/
I warmly ask you to remember:/
howl & dance like a wolf under the pale moon/
take chances & have no fear of shadows that loom/
be the wildfire that blazes the way through/
& with wisdom you'll learn to look beneath/
knowing just when to bare your teeth.../
girl you got this, we're all just waiting to see/

Day 7 - Topic: Awkward Moments suggested by Megan

woke up this mornin feelin fine feelin great/
freshest shoes on & I just got paid/
been lookin forward all week to tonight's first date/
something more to this one, see I'm not tryin to get laid/
I don't even care that she's older in age/
& we been talkin online for what seems a decade/
we agreed it's more fun to keep this thing blind/
no names, no pictures, let's just build somethin worthwhile/
now any day without her jokes drags on like crawlin ten miles/
It's like forever I been playin the game/
& I could try settlin down, life in the slow lane/
friends think I'm crazy but the timing feels right/
startin to visualize couple kids and a wife/
& now everything could change in just one night/
pressed up my best pearl snap shirt/
the one that's guaranteed to get the girls heads turnin/
stopped at the store to get a red rose/
said I would know her from a pink dress and diamond pierced nose/
picked out the place, meetin at a quarter past eight/
swank restaurant with a bar in case we wanna stay late/
got there early, checkin out the wine list/
spied someone walkin in, I could see the pink dress/
lookin tight and quite pretty least what I could tell from the side/
but then she turned to face me & my eyes opened wide.../
don't wanna admit it, but man, I had a nice time/
she even paid for the meal when my card got declined/
must be the bank, I got money I sware/
no worries sweet stuff and she ruffled my hair/
isn't it funny, she asked, this thing called life?/
yeah, sure is surprising... was my first reply/
So, I said with a wink & a smile/
you wanna be the one to tell Dad, or should I?/
she walked away sayin something bout so grounded/
& I  turned back to the bar for some memory loss & much needed reboundin/

Day 6 - Topic: Flash Floods suggested by Diana

ordinary dessert day/
in an average mundane place/
so accustomed to these dry plains/
most didn't notice the river bed's state/
or given much thought to threats the mountains contained/
or last winters snow.../
until the rain/
it's amazing how fast things can change/
& how water breaks into rapids when there's no storm drains/
there's always those people who believe themselves invincible/
refusing to listen to sources deemed credible/
endin up a sad story on the news about attempted rescues/
and then there's the ones who get caught in the middle/
just crossin a road when struck by something terrible/
suddenly swimmin for a sidewalk shoreline/
that's not there anymore/
since the torrent had that route reassigned/
cars, lives & even our sense of time capsized/
abruptly it arrived & left  in the blink of an eye/
losin homes built in flood zones previously uknown/
this has become a nightmare that won't be woke from/
that was the day the river rose, the dam cracked & the levy broke/

Fall Into Place

Here's a work in progress for your listening pleasure...
a piece I did with Cienfuegos:

http://soundcloud.com/hundredfires/fall-into-place

Day 5 - Topic: Discouragement suggested by Adam

dealin with judgements & animosity/
people sayin a lady shouldn't emcee/
sometimes feelin the need to flee/
but that only leads to another blown opportunity/
if I keep myself apart, deepest desires in the dark/
retire without leavin my mark,/
the gap between makin life art just gets bigger/
& how long do I let fear be my defender?/
So to all the haters:/
I was meant for somethin bigger/
& you were placed as a stone/
in the half paved road/
that will take me where I'm goin/
my purpose lies within rhymed verses/
found a presence of some kinda god between the speakers & the merch/
& a resemblance of a religion that don't belong in a church/
hip hop's hymnals, psalms & serenades/
converted a calm freedom from the depressed desperation I displayed/
It's time for my debt to generations of this music to be repaid/
nothin's keepin me from the mic and the stage/
gonna rhyme, sing & scream what I have to say/
& I'll be damned if I let anyone get in my way/

Day 4 - topic: Being Batman suggested by Han Rolo (this one kicked my ass, enjoy!)

soul so stricken with loss/
sore spots have succumbed to frost/
wicked will be unmasked when our paths cross/
no longer focused on revenge, but/
a lust for justice knows no ends/
my free domain seems to contain my stops & chains/
no witness to this silent reign/
no forgiveness in a righteous existence/
& no commitments since the love was slain/
avarice will gather my rapturous malice/
and cancerous cretins deserving hard lessons/
the inner workings of my heart/
could lurk locked within Arkham/
because I'm as dark as the Gotham I guard/
some say I do belong in an asylum/
but were I gone they would run & hide/
longing for someone to save them/
it's a vanishing act of cowl & cape when you turn your back/
a detective hunting those who have escaped/
In the end I'm alone and only human/
an aberration but still susceptible to broken bones & abrasions
& no matter the procurations of my mantle/
in this battle, everyday is a failure/
when hate-filled debasement and oppressors prevail/

Day 3 - Topic: Bathroom Wisdom suggested by Emma

A philosopher's fluorescant lit think tank/
dark & dank, carved & marked/
with an incessant stank/
one inebriate knows he's a poet/
gonna show the world, gonna expose it/
droppin knowledge while droppin bombs/
some of the best advice I ever read was on a bathroom stall/
& some of the nastiest shit ever spread, left on fiberglass walls/
sittin at the head/
scribblin thoughts unsaid/
symbols of bigotry, hostility & anatomically correct incivility/
proclamations of infatuation & innapropriate salutations/
"I hate jews" next to "Judy loves her boo"/
& anonymous numbers beside "call for a screw"/
man i only wanted to use the loo/
but I just might have somethin to say too.../

Day 2 - Topic: Art & The Act of Creation suggested by Cat B

artists & dreamers we got busy hands/
restlessness demands creation small & grand/
inspiration flows without trepidation/
our formulations are juxtaposed/
so we don't get complacent/
unknown or famous/
imagination's immune to containment/
fascination of all within perceptions range/
imperfections only lend to arts evolutionary change/

Day 1 - (For Saturday July 9) Topic: 7-11 suggested by Amanda

I remember back in the day/
when wealth was appraised by nickels & dimes exchanged/
slackin through summers seeming endless haze/
stealthfully raidin mom's jar of change/
sayin aight it's time for slurpees & a sugar rush ride/
two on a bike or the crews down for a hike/
parents even let us go in the middle of the night/
twinkies, fruit pies, nacho cheese/
no worries bout big thighs or countin calories/
metabolisms fast, no such thing as a crash/
too bad now it's just daily gym visits and a big fat ass/