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Best Poems Written by Elizabeth Shannon

Below are the all-time best Elizabeth Shannon poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

Details | Elizabeth Shannon Poem

Letter To Cornwall

do you remember this place by the ocean?
these coastal mornings with their Arena air
the wind from the crab dock almost strong enough 
to be swept away,
running from growling raccoons
randomly reading names on boats-

The way I remember The day you said the word traded, 
how it changed us, to me, 
you brought me here in your little red car
I knew it wasn’t romantic
Dave passed out in the back seat
You chugging back a litre of water
Like you had spent the night in the Saharan 
Even the car smelled hungover

Over there by those big rocks where couples watch the sun rise
Just a few feet from where I am now
You calmly wrapped your arms around me 
The way waves cradle the sand
 Then  said “it was no big deal,”
And my sun set, turning me dark 
The way you rationally explained it was “part of the game” 
told me you had done this before. 

Stood on a late spring morning with your arms around a girl
 and told her that you were going home for the summer
 like you always do and regrettably wouldn’t return with the fall.
Then left maybe on a greyhound or maybe In your little red sunfire.

 I think about that girl left back in one of those little Saskatchewan towns
 and wonder if she’s writing you this morning too,
I know about her because you came to British Columbia on a trade 
and now I wonder if there is letter on its way 
from the town in Alberta that sent you to Saskatchewan.

It’s kind of comforting to know that I’m not alone
To imagine all the girls left in limbo 
Writing letters curled up by fire places, from small town diners,
Empty arena seats, front porch swings and, beaches
 
I’m watching the boats now. 
Ships come in and make the harbor beautiful for a moment 
and then sail away.

The team still skates everyday at five
I picked Dave up from practice
We had a mountain burger
And a couple of black Russians
I should tell you it ended there
But we came down here 
And skipped rocks into the ocean
Laughing about old times
When he was the third wheel
And when he took my hand
I let him; it felt right at the time 
So I’m not alone, but lonely

Is there a girl in Ontario who has already fallen?

Details | Elizabeth Shannon Poem

Lioness

A fire burns within her
Brighter then sun, moon or star
She is strength and she is softness
Born for some great life a loyal queen
Deserving of any crown jewel, yet
Her place is in this jungle
Concrete or forest,
With her young
Lighting their paths
And forgoing her own
 they are her diamonds rough
Each one bringing unique light

Her creations,  and her kingdom rest on
 Nobility undefined by 
any stone precious or semi 
Her worth, no measure in gold
It is what she has given her children,
Her heart, her courage, her unconditional love,
That promises a reign that will span generations

Details | Elizabeth Shannon Poem

You With No Answers

Fact
We are all going to lose
Everyone we love

I wonder if you hear
Or it’s just a broken Prayer
If you intended all this
If you can even bring yourself to look  

I wonder if you really know
Or am I, are we  
Just a random act

A Man with such Conviction
Compassion and forgiveness
Can sit idle
As a child, his child withers away
While a mother prays with her last breath

You really sit up there in your heaven
Watching and hearing 
And staying silent

So what is it that you will save me from
If I fool myself into faith
Because the only gift you  really give 
You take back in the end

I’m going to live
I’m going love
I’ll pray, I’ll Sin 
I’ll make mistakes
And if I ask you will forgive
You have no choice
You’re Guilty too

Details | Elizabeth Shannon Poem

Lead Me To Breakfast

I am alone in this room
We might have shared
Sleep deprived 
Liquor store medicated
And emotion numb
Night settled in 
Like a slow dance
whiskey hanging on every breath
Keeping memories at bay
In this eternal winter
You have left 

No count of sheep
Will lead me to that dream
In your blue checkered shirt
That sparingly covers me

Where you would
 take my left hand
 in your right
And your left 
which should
 comfortably rest at waist
 drops to my bottom
 just like I’d expect
In my perfect world
And we’d two-step
Until day breaks us

From forced breath 
To fake smile
To this Palm bay  breakfast
Beneath a blood shot rainbow

The broken world  can still rotate
Enough to rise sun
And sink moon
Like the broken heart
Left with just enough will
To keep a steady beat

Details | Elizabeth Shannon Poem

The Buckle

Jack Daniels whiskey label
That has you out aged 
Stamped in the silver tombstone
Aboard your belt.

And the dust on your boots
Not yet time worn, or tattered with age
Almost as shiny as your youth
Behind those still driven eyes

embers of a fire 
Burning in your belly
Flickering to flame
In your dilating pupils

If whiskey were all that
Touched the rim
Could you even hold 
A steady hand
Keep it all down
Or would your young-blood
Reject all reason

If I were a Mixologist
I’d brand your innocence
With something frozen pink and fruity
Or perhaps your Ivy League smile
Would entice the monkey’s lunch
Milk could still do that body good

But behind my condescending smirk
And my time tailored thirty-something taste for whiskey
There is a little, Miss McGill
That wants to brew you tea
Boil your barley-teasing-twenty assets
And let them steep in the confines
Of a solid bed frame.