Illicit Inspiration's - The Poetry of David Cronk

04/27/2026

Prison in Ink

Obsession in words, with paper and pen
Rest a forgotten old friend
Sunlight and darkness, though clearly reverse
The same when the day has no end

Restlessness fueled by creativities curse
Fixation expressed unrehearsed
A tireless effort, words penned on a page
Displayed as a phrase and a verse

With diction and literacy, in letters expressed
The fruits of his mind manifest
As days turn to weeks, and weeks turn to months
Bear the curse of the poet obsessed

02/11/2023

Allow me, if you will, to proudly introduce the World's first ever, multi-purpose, somewhat indestructible, anti water-resistant, and entirely magnificent book of poetry, "Observations in Ink"!

Rain leaving you soggy and sad? Not anymore! Simply open Observations in Ink, raise it above your head, and take shelter under it's warm and welcoming canopy.

Is your boss giving you hell? No problem! In your dominant hand, firmly grasp Observations in Ink, take aim at that burdensome bully, and start swinging away. Just like that, you're the boss!

Wabbly table? No problem, just add Observations in Ink! Bridge that annoying gap between floor and table leg, welcoming back that sturdy place to rest your additional copy of Observations in Ink.

Great news, Observations in Ink can also be utilized for the following tasks:

Digging holes in loose soil or sand
Fanning away the blistering heat of the Sun.
Temporarily replacing a carelessly lost oar.
Knocking items from shelves, just beyond reach.
Self defense.
Greeting amplification.
Airplane signalling.
Object elevation.
Reading.
And so much more!

Share your original poetry, discover new poems daily, and make meaningful connections with a global community of poets and poetry enthusiasts. Join today!

02/07/2023

I have a book. It's ideal for providing an additional 1/2 of material when something comes up a bit too short, while also containing a solid 40 sheets of paper for starting fire's, or making paper mache projects. You can also read it!

Share your original poetry, discover new poems daily, and make meaningful connections with a global community of poets and poetry enthusiasts. Join today!

02/06/2023

Good morning! I just wrote this for you... Yeah you!

Better

My goal's to be a better man
Be better than the rest
Be better than the others
And be better than the best

I better not be second
Yes I better be in first
I better be the greatest
Never ever be the worst

Now if I were a betting man
You bet I'd bet on me
I'm going to be a better man
The best that I can be

-David Padrick Cronk

02/04/2023

Ten Below

In Winter's grip
Through driving snow
You'll feel her wrath
At Ten Below

The creek will freeze
The wind will blow
As nature sleeps
At Ten Below

The bitter chill
From head to toe
You'll feel the sting
At Ten Below

Your heart will race
The blood will flow
To stay alive
At Ten Below

Until you've been
You'll never know
When stuck outside
At Ten Below

Take shelter now
Near fire's glow
You're safe inside
At Ten Below

-David Padrick Cronk

02/03/2023

New Day

With little regard
Not afraid to betray
The new day begins
While the last fades aways

With the rise of the sun
And with opening eyes
The new day moves forward
While the last day it dies

As we check off the tasks
Of the new day ahead
We will bury the last day
Choosing new day instead

As the hours of the new day
Move ever so fast
We make most of the new day
Hoping more than the last

When the new day is ending
And the last further passed
We will look towards the next day
When today will be last

-David Padrick Cronk

02/03/2023

Decision's

Imagine a second
If offered to trade
The path you avoided
With the path that you laid

The choice to go left
Not the choice to go right
Or the choice to be kind
When your choice was to fight

When you chose to be careless
You instead chose to care
Or you chose to just wing it
When you could just prepare

The time you chose courage
And just said hello
But instead you were silent
And just let her go

When choosing to settle
Not chasing a dream
Or the time you flew solo
Not joining the team

So many decisions
Though many were strange
Even given the option
There's none I would change

-David Padrick Cronk

02/03/2023

We all have it within ourselves to do better, to become the person we know we can be. Though often choosing to avoid our struggles, relying on a substance to mask our pain, we have within us the means to conquer our demons, relying instead on our ability to utilize our bodies and minds to overcome adversity. We need to trust in ourselves and embrace the support of others. Only then can we truly cast away our Poison Crutch.

Poison Crutch

The Poison Crutch
Which we rely
To ease the pain
Is all a lie

We medicate
Without concern
An easy path
For which we turn

Escaping sorrow
Avoiding fears
Shutting down
Wasting years

Grave mistakes
And moments missed
Regrets and loss
Too long to list

It's not to late
Or out of touch
So cast away
The Poison Crutch

-David Padrick Cronk

02/02/2023

Semper Fidelis

The brave press forth
Upon command
No venue lost
Air, sea, and land

In light of day
Or dark of night
No force on earth
Shall quell their fight

To shield from harm
Those who intend
Grateful are
Those they defend

The fiercest foes
Do they dispense
With sacrifice
In our defense

In countries name
By any means
The few, the proud
US Marines

-David Padrick Cronk

02/01/2023

A poem I wrote to honor the victims of the Buffalo Tops Massacre.

Queen City's Will

In evils wake, Queen City weeps
The souls of ten, the Lord he keeps

Friends and loved one's, laid to rest
Our wise, our kind, our brave, our best

It's hates intent, that we divide
That colors used, to pick a side

But hate itself, could not prepare
A swift response, of love and care

Bent, not broken, we unite
Our cities strength, as one we fight

No evil act can ever kill
The power of Queen City's will!

-David Padrick Cronk