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Best Poems Written by Dan Cwiak

Below are the all-time best Dan Cwiak poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

Details | Dan Cwiak Poem

Smile At a Muslim

These are just a few words about reality,
as Muslims struggle each day with individuality.

What is a Muslim and from whence does he come?
Like you and me, he is born into the world. because of two someone's.

Many of us grew up knowing prejudice in life,
I was gangly, naive, ever given to strife.

Raised as a Christian I never knew what it meant,
As my Muslim friend, how people could vent. 

My younger years were spent playing baseball you see,
They were a team of Puerto Ricans, not one Muslim to be.

My Polish heritage was always the butt of a joke,
It was infinitely small, compared to a Muslim's yoke.

My parent's generation was prejudiced in mind,
To Blacks, and Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Hispanics and people of all kind.
 
I, being naive, never even recognized the strife,
to which these peoples had been subjected to in life.

From experience I learned to treat each person individually,
slowly finding out that that was how they treated me.

Oh, I can say I've met both good and bad,
and the underlying theme is all so sad.

For it seems that we put labels to people like cans of beans,
stick them on a shelf, never tasting their means.

But once you open that can and taste the fare,
you may very well find yourself going back there.

We have our share of detractors in this world of our choice,
but Muslims are not the ones against whom we should give voice.

They are as decent, hard working, and loving as you or me.
They only want what is best for their family.

I pray to my Christian God for Muslims though they know it not,
because they are people that He has not forgot.

Words between man and God are private you see,
that is what connects man to his Deity.

But in every society there is always some remark made aloud,
about how this group or that group has no right to be allowed.

What, I wonder, gives them the right to speak that thought?
Unless it was the freedoms for which this country fought.

And I am sure that the Muslims fought with us too,
so they could have an American dream or two.

So, I think I'll stay in my own naive little way,
and keep those prejudices well at bay.

I won't care whether the next person is Red or Yellow, Black or White,
I won't care if he's Hindu or Christian, Jewish or Zen on sight.

Yes, I'll like the next Muslim I see,
I'm going to smile at them, and I bet they smile back at me!

Details | Dan Cwiak Poem

Poetrysoup Heroes

I'm only allowed the names of three
so I will write of those that would be for me.
There are so many that this is unfair
but, since that is the rule I must list there:

Carolyn Devonshire who gave me the courage to write
with her words of encouragement on this site.
She always found a "silver lining" in my work,
and never told me that I write like a jerk.

Tho it has been years since I've been around
her help and inspiration never set me aground.
She never left me twisting in the wind alone
as she helped my poorest works to hone.

There is also a Poet Destroyer for whom I have praise
I wish my words to her level I could raise.
Why her "Poet Destroyer" pen name I could never see
unless, of course, you compare mine to her poetry.

Mine is crushed by the words she can write
but I am ever grateful to her for wanting to put mine to flight.
When you have a writer who can put you to shame,
it's only natural that you want to do the same.

CayCay Jennings is my third choice
as she has helped me to "refind" my voice.
I appreciate her critiques of the work I do
all I can give is a big "THANK YOU".

She was one of the first to welcome me back here
and always gave me words of good cheer.
Her suggestions have been given with such grace
sometimes they put a smile on my face.

There is her writing which is also so stellar
as compared to mine, some of which belong in a cellar.
Some of the things she has written down
Have with me, a deeper meaning found.

So these are the three heroes that I must name
but so many more have done the same.
Not only are there poets whose names I could not call
to give them the honors they should have one and all.

Yes, I have heroes here unnamed
because my pen had to be tamed.
But know that I appreciate each and all that you do
Whenever I write, I'm thinking of you. 


written:  10/30/15

Details | Dan Cwiak Poem

Deck the Halls

Christmas lights are blinkin',
Glowin' and a'twinklin',
Hang the Yuletide Holly...
It's hard to sleep tonight!

Christmas cards we're writin',
Oh, it's so excitin',
Hang up all the Stockings...
It's hard to sleep tonight!

Christmas bells are ringin',
Carolers are singin',
Wait for Christmas morning...
It's hard to sleep tonight!

Little eyes are peekin',
For the things they're seekin',
Santa is a coming...
It's hard to sleep tonight!

Leave some cookie treasure, 
For the Old Elf's pleasure,
A glass of milk for Santa...
It's hard to sleep tonight!

Reindeer are a prancin',
On the roof they're dancin',
Listen for the Sleigh Bells...
It's hard to sleep tonight!

Christmas moon is showin',
On the snow it's glowin',
Soon he'll be a'comin'...
It's hard to sleep tonight!

Tomorrow is Christmas ... the Day we Celebray.
Tomorrow is Christmas ... with Presents 'neath the tree.
Tomorrow is Christmas ... Tomorrow is Christmas,
Tomorrow is Christmas ... The Day we long to see!

Details | Dan Cwiak Poem

Eulogy To My Brother

Was it all that long ago
  when we drove thru the streets,
Singing those crazy drinking songs
  that you taught me?
Oh, how I wish for those days again
  when the boulevards came easily.
Our voices in the open air as we sped
  in that sports car of yours.
Your death gave me a voice that
  I did not know I had until you left me in that void.
Now, words fill the pages of a writer
  instead of the notes of a musician.
Sometimes the tempo rises 
  Other times it is staccato and slow.
How can I tell others my memories of those days
  as I watched your courageous battle.
Your voice still sings those songs in me
  from I know not where.
Was it all that long ago...

written: 8/11/2015

Details | Dan Cwiak Poem

A Conversation To Hear

"Franklin, why do you want such a fat, ugly bird?
Are you getting senile, or just being absurd?"

"Clearly, Mr. Adams, you are not being a friend.
My dove, not the turkey, will win in the end.

Though Franklin's turkey may be our most native bird,
your eagle, as well, will not be the final word.

A sign of Peace is what we need,
to show other nations of what we heed."

"Are you nuts, Thomas, for saying such?
Only my turkey can represent what we need so much!"

"Have both of you gone so daft in the head, 
not to see that my eagle should be the one instead?

It has power and majesty that our nation new,
can be ascribed to the birds advocated by you.

We want Peace, but must remember this war,
so how can we petition a dove to complete this chore?

As for the turkey, I know the pride it shows,
but I just can't get over that thing on its nose.

So my Eagle is the one without a ruse,
and the best bird for the Congress to choose.

It can show our intent for Peace with an olive branch,
is native as the turkey, with a prideful stance.

Freedom will come and be represented by
my Eagle's unlimited flight in the sky.

Ever watchful for both Peace and War,
and without the turkey's nasal sore."

"We both know, Thomas, that Adams is correct.
His bird is beyond the circumspect."

"Yes, Franklin, I have always known
that my dove and your turkey would not have flown."

"Then are we agreed, gentlemen, that we three as one,
my Eagle is the bird that has hatched and won?"


Just thinking about this conversation made me weak,
especially when I had to give it a tweak.

But the Eagle has represented us well,
both in Peace and War, as history will tell.

I have obviously voted with Adams on his choice,
It has given our country a singular voice.

It is strong, majestic, and watchful to be sure,
and stood the test of time with great enure.

One more thing I'll say about the symbol we branded,
What would we have thought if Armstrong had said, " The Turkey has landed"?

Details | Dan Cwiak Poem

Holidays Are

HOLIDAYS ARE...
     Times when families get together,
     it can be in Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter weather.

HOLIDAYS ARE...
     Days filled with relaxation and rest,
     and all the feasting that is only the best.

HOLIDAYS ARE...
     Days for the enjoyment,
     of not having to go to our employment.

HOLIDAYS ARE...
     A gift for children for as a rule,
     it's a day when they don't get up for school.

HOLIDAYS ARE...
     A time of laughter heard in the trees,
     or the aroma of barbecue wafting on the breeze.

HOLIDAYS ARE...
     Memories of those no longer here,
     and all the times they brought us cheer.

HOLIDAYS ARE...
     When some are thrilled by colorful presents,
     but are a better gift because of our family's presence.

HOLIDAYS ARE...
     The year's gifts of giving,
     for us taking part in our daily living.

HOLIDAYS ARE...
     Nearly upon us again, and they bring us a tear too,
     because we love you and wish we could share them with you.

HOLIDAYS ARE...
     Truly, a present from God above,
     presented through His Son, bestowing on us His gracious love.

Details | Dan Cwiak Poem

Sometimes

Sometimes I wonder where we would be
 had Cain not slain his brother.
  Would we all be feasting in the Garden of Eden,
   sharing its promise with each other?

Sometimes I ponder the light of a new day
 when I wake in the early morning.
   Does it make the world a better place,
    when we wake to a city in mourning?

Sometimes I dream of a world so pure
 it makes me feel higher than high.
  Can our points of view be so distorted,
   that we must make the innocent die?

Sometimes I wish life was simple
 like the games we as children play.
  Must our hearts be so heavy laden with hate,
   that we see killing as the only way?

Sometimes I feel lost and alone
 as if there were no place for me to be.
  When will we make peace with each other,
   to assure all men can sleep peacefully?

Sometimes I only want to awaken
 and get myself out of this trance.
  Then I finally realize that I am fully awake,
   and say a prayer for the people of France.

Details | Dan Cwiak Poem

Reduced To Tears

Now that I am in my sixties,
I look back on my life like the Sinatra song.
I was working and busy until a few years ago,
but then I fell, and everything went wrong.

When I was in my fifties,
I was in the start of a new career.
It wasn't what I wanted to do,
but at that point, it was the only path that was clear.

When I was in my forties,
Life seemed to be in the pink.
Little did I know,
it would soon all go down the drink.

When I was in my thirties,
my life was on the upswing.
A second love had saved my life,
I had a good job, a beautiful wife, and a new child from the hospital to bring.

When I was in my twenties,
Young and in love like a fool.
Dating and romancing and feeling life,
all while I was putting myself through school.

Way back when I was ten,
The kids on the block...we were always on the run.
Except when I was in school,
Learning the three "R's" from those persistent nuns.

I do not remember much before the age of five.
I did what most kids do I suppose.
Learning about the world one day at a time,
Never realizing how fast time really goes.

So here I am reflecting,
on all those sixty-plus years.
Remembering the growth, the loves, the ambitions,
A life of what could have been, now reduced to tears.

Details | Dan Cwiak Poem

Attendants

Have you ever been a-flyin'
Up in the sky so blue?
If you have you seen the people
Who provide their service for you.

Flying for them is a profession
One of assistance, service, and care.
I often times have mumbled
At some of the things they hear.

Have you ever been a-flyin'
In a plane with silver wing?
If so you have met the people
Whose "attendance" is their thing.

I have seen them courteous and collected
Even in spite of a boor.
Somehow you know they are thankful
When the last one is out the door.

Have you ever been a-flyin'
Up above in a crowded plane?
Have you ever wondered
How those people do not go insane?

Life for them is walking
Thousands of miles each day.
With every step they take on that plane
They try to help in every way.

Have you ever been a-flyin'
Up high...well over a country mile?
Then you must have seen the people
Whose job it is to smile.

Courtesy is the watchword of their profession
No time to give way to personal vents.
So when you get on an airplane
Be thankful for the "Flight Attendants".

Details | Dan Cwiak Poem

His Epic Power

You can see the little corner of light,
back behind the shadowing cloud.
  If man were not so self-centered,
  we would recognize that which is so proud.

  When I see the epic sky above
  the land so stark and alone.
I see the hand of the Lord
Overshadowing all that has been done.

The strength of His hand is there to see
if you will look with both heart and eyes.
  His fingers cover the entire sky
  as we await the rains of His surprise.

  His hand out stretched to cover all the earth
  from horizon to horizon above.
Guarding the world He has made
in His abundant love.

When I see the power of His greatness
in this epic show of His hand.
  I think of the wonders that await
  for us, how they must be so grand.

  I feel sorry for those who do not believe  
  in Him or His Son.
But where would power so great be
had He not said, "Let it be done"!

For in these images that we see
we can feel the strength of a mighty rod.
  More than that in this epic I not only see,
  I feel the hand of God.
   


for: Epic Picture Contest - Picture #2
11/23/15