Best Rispetto Poems
in hyacinth and heather my true love dwells
and in lush lavender her bones rest in peace
no mere human can project nor can foretell
when in this life one's vitality may cease
yet this I know and of this I can be sure
that her soul was white as snow and truly pure
thus in God's new world I know I'll see her soon
and together we'll chase rainbows on the moon
* Inspired by Chris Bowring's wonderful rispetto as well as others
Poe's darkness calls to such as I, an ember,
a velvet covered wing chair's grasp on dark nights.
I seek the maudlin moan of his December
to nurse an aging form and love's lost delights.
As Poe has said, "distinctly I remember..."
his sweetest kiss and the wound he left in flight.
So, by the hearth sit such as I in shadow,
Raven in hand by the firelight's ruddy glow.
When stars ascend and illuminate moonlight,
he sits in the midst of childhood confusion,
bricks in ruby quartz, shape pearl-face of twilight,
crafting a castle from artistic vision
where secrets of his heart have unlocked windows;
letters and numbers, no longer mere shadows,
architecting comfort through mini figures
that masquerade ticking truth of lonely hours.
Dyslexic mind moulds an armored foundation,
lego became his true salvation through strife;
reflections of kismet, contrived with passion-
gilded courage framing the frailties of life,
tiny fingers breathe hope through rainbow colors,
whilst imagination carves profound pillars,
stacking the slanted canvas of dreams to rise,
as his strength towers beyond bluest of skies.
You could never be mad at me
Wise old man whom my heart could see
You were there when I needed you
Just a young child so full of life
Causing many an adult strife
If I lied you could see right through
You could never be mad at me
Wise old man whom my heart could see
Because of you I changed my ways
Have respect till my dying days
You were there when I needed you
If I lied you could see right through
You could never be mad at me
Wise old man whom my heart could see
Written by Brenda Meier-Hans
10.05.2014
Dr. Mehta Contest: Sonnetina Rispetto
3rd
Glacial hills rise elevating fervid sights
Mesmerizing desires adorned turquoise blue
Arousing cobalt passions in sapphire heights
Floating cotton balls on melting cyan hue.
Above your scenic view gloats the sunlit sky
Lifting eager vibes upon hearing my sigh
Urging the frozen glaciers to woo romance
Embracing zealous emotions held in trance.
October 18, 2018
Rhyme: abab ccdd. Eight lines, 11 syllables each
Placed 3rd:Mid March 2019 contest by Brian Strand
pulsating periwinkle stars dot the sky
under a lavender moon we make sweet love
on silk-soft sand two passionate lovers lie
as heavenly hosts serenade from above
all around us luminous fireflies fly
we take it in without either asking why
O the vastness and smallness of this warm night
we bask in the afterglow of love and light
* a tribute to the styles of Ink Empress and Brandy
As a girl, I imagined a place to be
Sprinkled in stardust, where grassy skies rotate
A pirate nymph, commanding the purple sea
Leaping unicorns across a rainbow gate
A lush kingdom of color and harmony
Of horizons unbroken, of dreams ornate
Now, I wander my glen of nostalgic wood
Rebuilding the cloud castles of my childhood.
2/1/19
When love blossoms, in full bloom, the rose of bright
scarlet dances with sculptured petalled passion
as alluring fragrance enchants to ignite
senses and heart aplenty with no ration.
When love wilts dripping blood red petals that fall
and piercing thorns linger with deaths silent call
the rose fades, withers, decaying at its core
and once of beauty before is now no more.
I thought I had hooked the world’s largest grouper
After struggling for hours, I was still reeling
Refused help from a friend; I was a trooper
Somehow I found its resistance appealing
Hot sun on the Gulf had me in a stupor
And in my hands I started to lose feeling
It finally came into view just before dark
Was shocked to find a fifteen-foot tiger shark
He’d just been toying with me all afternoon
And he was more than half the size of my boat
I felt like a comic in a weird lampoon
My heart seemed to be rising up in my throat
Captain Ahab might have viewed this as a boon
But far too much weight did this tiger shark tote
He bolted, took off, stripped the line from my reel
And I had to cast elsewhere for my next meal
* For Thvia's "The One That Got Away" contest (True Story!)
A gypsy dance enthralls the stars
into a twirl of rustling hems
as women tap bare feet, guitars
lift twiddling notes of lore’s anthems
along a woodland’s lively fest,
where beaded hair glides in thrilled zest
to charm night’s hours...to romp away
till wagon drifts when morning strays.
My destiny number is 7, though I chose
my path number 8--- jan 8
rispetto form in 8 lines
------------
Andrea Dietrich's Tell Me Your Number Contest
Island Aloha
Tall and lovely palms are swaying island fair
within the tropical gentle trade wind's flow
as elegant Egrets glide on salty air—
then softly land where verdant short grasses grow.
At sunset whales are breaching, a sight so rare.
Divine Humpbacks swim with little calves in tow.
Cast away cold winter's weather to the breeze.
Take homeward bound treasures of warm memories.
2-3-19
~Poem of the Day February 5, 2019~
My Place Multi-Part Easter Prizes ~Second Place~
Sponsor Carolyn Devonshire
Thank you so much Poetry Soup Team and all you
Poetry Soup Members for your generous wonderful
comments and POTD.
In skies of blue or stormy seas
I am awed by nature's beauty
In fragrant rose where beauty grows
I praise the Lord who made all these
Daffodils that sway in the breeze
While willows grow where rivers flow
In skies of blue or stormy seas
I am awed by nature's beauty
When I hear the nightingale sing
So much joy to my heart it brings
In fragrant rose where beauty grows
While willows grow where rivers flow
In skies of blue or stormy seas
I am awed by nature's beauty
Cinnamon memories catch my soul in snares
as I trace in anguish the curve of your lips
in a photo stained sepia with my tears -
a thousand words spoken through my fingertips;
wishing you to be the breeze teasing my hair
or the sun on my skin after its eclipse,
let mare’s tails twine us in a heavenly kiss --
cinnamon stirs my bittersweet reminisce.
Susan Ashley
May 9, 2019
~ Fourth Place ~
Premiere Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 2
Sponsor: Mark Toney
~ Third Place ~
Premiere Contest: Favourite Poem From May, 2019
Sponsor: Julia Ward
~ Second Place ~
Premiere Contest: May 2019 Premiere (Max 8 Lines)
Sponsor: Brian Strand
*Mare’s tail: a long narrow cirrus cloud whose flowing appearance resembles that of a horse’s tail*
Cerulean lake flows beneath azure dome
Charming revelers in waters cobalt blue
Gazing into horizon where eagles roam
Greeting scenic pastures in aerial view.
Upon shamrock landscapes quiver golden rays
Crafting shadowy shapes, drawing zealous praise
Foretelling onset of twilight colors soon
Preparing the stage for ardent summer moon.
July 8, 2018
First Place in Mid July standard contest by Brian Strand
Placed 2nd in Summer Rispetto contest by Barry Stebbings
Rhyme: abab, ccdd. Eight lines, 11 syllables each;
Verified on howmanysyllables.com
Mist in the distance, heart quickens to gooseflesh
Whisky Jacks perch silent, they've seen me before
Brother Wolf has been by, his scat is still fresh
Ancient eyes follow me, née jinn shapes of lore
Small clearing before me, my own private crèche
Hidden falls dance and play, their ions restore
Spray glitters like diamonds, the Sun leads the band
As time disappears, my soul breathes a free land