River rushing
River rushing
Swim
Leap
Swim
Leap
River rushing
River rushing
Swim
Leap
Swim
Leap
River rushing
Leap
Though obstacles may wait, if you choose to swim against the current
You must frequently leap out of the water to make true progress
Copyright © Mark Pringle | Year Posted 2005
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+++
**Based on the real experiences in 1997-98
September 8, 2014
Form: Free verse
First Place Win
Contest: Rejection by Regina Riddle
Copyright © Dr.Ram Mehta | Year Posted 2005
Last seen in the newspaper shop.Susan.Susan
Deakin.About 11am.Small blonde girl of eight.
An impassive constable was recording the statements
Inwardly weary with the usual hysteria.
Inwardly quailing at the thought of her daughter's reaction,
Her frantic grandmother was stumbling over the details.
Once the story rippled through the village,
A miasma of fear settled like a haar
Upon the sunlit streets
Where mothers now kept their children tight to them.
Little knots of elderly women stood chattering,
Every utterance dripping with deadly speculation,
Drowning any pious hope that she was off safe with her friends.
Solitary males must have keenly felt
The sharp glances of suspicion and wondered why.
Beneath the warmth of an otherwise bright sky
Swam an icy current of deepening distrust
Threatening the community with its riptide of rancour.
There was now nothing to be done but wait.
Copyright © Denis Bruce | Year Posted 2005
A kind and gentle woman
was too soon called away
now sorrow is upon your heart
for this sad, sad day.
A blessing to her family
and to each loving friend
so many tears from you flow
to see this dear life end.
Though your hearts are burdened
and filled with pain and grief
through faith in our Redeemer
may you find comfort and relief.
For all who came to know her
and be part of her life
she was a precious friend and sister
a cherished mom and wife.
Treasure all the memories
that each one of you hold
for now their blessed value
is worth more than pure gold.
Remember all the things you shared
and all her special ways
that made her mean so much to you
and cherish all her days.
Although she may be parted
from this earthly life
she has been freed from worry
her troubles and her strife.
In the company of angels
she's watching over you
and knows how much you love her
know that she loves you, too.
With assurance through God's precious gift
know that when your days here end
once more you'll see this beloved wife
sweet mother and dear friend.
This is dedicated to Sandy, who passed away
Sunday, January 18, 2009. She was a dear and
precious friend for over 20 years of my sister and brother-in-law
Linda and Tom Haill and Beloved wife and mother
of John and Phil and special to all who had the great fortune
to know her.
Copyright © Robin L. Gass | Year Posted 2009
Slipping into a reverie, I was somewhere else, Looking up, I saw only books on a shelf. Searching the corners deep in my soul, I found myself inside a “Library of Limbo.”
Unanswered questions ran through my mind— Why was I here? What fate would I find? In haste, I picked the volume called “Life,” Heavy in hand, it trembled with strife.
I opened its pages—stunned by what I saw: My actions, my words—all judged by God’s law. I closed it slowly and began to weep, Falling to my knees, sorrow running deep.
Then a book marked Sin fell to the floor, Its log of darkness I couldn’t ignore. With trembling hands, I dared to look— And knew in my soul—I had part in that book.
My heart felt tormented, aching within, I placed the book beside one labeled Repent. Drawn by longing, compelled by grace, I picked it up with reverent pace.
Tears spilled down as I started to pray— Every sin I had ever known, now washed away. I bowed my head, “Lord, I have sinned, forgive me.” “I accept You with all of my soul and sincerity.”
With urgency then, I reached for Saved, And read, “Through Christ, you are eternally claimed!” Another book tumbled gently to my lap—Heaven— Its card still good, its message a blessing given.
“My child,” it read, “Heaven waits for you.” The joy I felt was holy, deep, and true. I woke from the library—dizzy, aglow— With peace in my heart, knowing where I’ll go.
Copyright © Erin Werner | Year Posted 2009
Let us all learn to be tolerant of all the homosexuals.
Let us all learn to be tolerant of all the varied ethnicities too.
Let us all learn to be tolerant of all the many religiously diversified.
If you'r tolerant with me, I'll be tolerant of you,
but before we begin to tolerate anything,
there is one thing that disturbs me greatly.
Why must we all be tolerant of anyone?
Why can't we all simply live and let be?
Why can't we all simply Accept and Sincerely Respect
Everyone's individuality?
Copyright © Billy Thekidster | Year Posted 2009
This chorus sarcastic and wrong
Is a spoiled thug throng sing along
(Loud) "Drill baby drill"
To the green crowd seems shrill
Still republicans love Palin's song
Copyright © Duke Beaufort | Year Posted 2009
Gazing on the meadow, glowing all a bright with flowers,
I fail to see a blossom wasn’t nurtured by spring showers.
Colors envelop this small world, and none the better be.
We all behold the beauty, as far as eyes can see.
But, for some ugly reason, as some glare upon this planet,
They try to conjure reasons why God placed some people on it.
Let me cut right to the chase, each and every human face
Has a right to their own place, as flowers of the human race.
Copyright © Ray Dillard | Year Posted 2010
The twilight comes, its nearly time
For darkness to fall - the fear is all mine
Another night follows as sure as day
Four hours sleep if I’m lucky I’d say!
Look for excuses to not go to bed
But I need my sleep let it be said.
Up the long stairway I slowly move
Not wearing slippers the carpets so smooth
Into the bathroom, the nightly chores
Now did I remember to lock all the doors?
Into my bed, out with a book
Maybe an hour, I’ll just take a look
No more excuses, it’s time to lay down
Up with the duvet and on with the frown
Will I lay here for hours, just like last night?
Or maybe this time it’ll work out just right!
Copyright © Roger Page | Year Posted 2010
Christmas Tree Over Dresden
Feb 14,1945 Dresden Germany
In their un-loving light, to stop a heart,
descending in the night, revealing all,
fortelling all to come, right from the start,
the soul of man did make its deathly call;
and dressed in light, a city stripped so clean,
their Valentine, to pray now is too late--
an ending not conceived--nor ever seen,
is close at hand, and in the hands of fate!
Warm in the night, a child could see the glow
of all the light, and see a Christmas tree;
just falling from the night, and then to show
that what we see's not really what we see;
Exploding in the night, death makes its call;
brought on by wrong and right, but butchers all.
Copyright © Vee Bdosa | Year Posted 2011
To my Wife, Minnie, married September 26, 1981
Here’s wishing a Happy Anniversary
To my nearest, dearest friend;
Who’s been right here beside me
For years and years on end.
You’ve helped me climb a few ladders
Of success during difficult times;
When others didn’t believe in me
You were my shadow right behind.
Everything I did and said
Rather I was right or wrong;
Believing in me always
When I was weak or strong.
You lifted me and gave me strength
When no one else was there;
And called me names like “Sweetie Pie”
To show how much you cared.
We had some fun and raised our young
To have faith and believe that wishes;
Come true in the end if we have a few friends
As I found in you and all your kisses.
The years have passed and we have lasted
Longer than most would have guessed;
And all I can say is
Happy Anniversary today
To the one that I’ve loved best.
Copyright © Terrell Martin | Year Posted 2011
Roses
I cut the petals off of a rose
To see if I could feel alive
But I faltered
I forgot to cut off the thorns
And they cut my hands open
Setting the rose down
I realized how twisted I had become
I'm a demon
With the mask of an angel
Declaring
That I wasn't at fault
When truly
Everything was my fault
The rose has slowly died
Because of my hands
Because of the darkness within
The thorns are still there
More pronounced than ever
But this rose
Will never live again
Copyright © Christopher Goss | Year Posted 2011
God must be sleeping now as the dog dreams
He mumbles help me as he is thrown into the ring
As he is bitten his tears of hope cry
I was happy to run and my mothers paws
God must be sleeping now as the addict waits for her trick
She opens the car door and wonders where did I turn
Her Father drank and beat her Mother
I was happy kicking cans and hiding and seeking
God must be sleeping now as the mother stands the line
Waiting her chance to speak and get the dole
Her children screaming and no food or goodies
I was happy playing with dolls and doctor was my downfall
Allah must be sleeping as the Taliban beat the solo women
She cries for pity as the men strike her with the club
She wears the burqa and prays for America
I was happy playing in the fields with my brother
God must be sleeping as the old woman has her pocketbook snatched
Her social security money gone as the food she will eat
Sitting on the ground thinking and praying and no answer
She was happier even when her husband lay dying and alone
God must be sleeping as the Earth quakes and tsunami
The wave crashes over the homes of the unsuspecting
The wife being torn from her husbands arms never seen again
To death came to part and the happiness too
God slept on the seventh day as he was tired
The people constantly praying for his wonders
His world in ruins as mankind molest his children
He was happier when he walked the gardens of Eden
Copyright © Patrick Cornwall | Year Posted 2012
"Legend of the Raintree"
an ancient legend about the raintree
derived from the old South
a tree shedding golden tears
a promise of length of years
if found ... exclaimed by word of mouth.
young lovers searched to find this tree
buried deep in forest green
whose raindrops melted into the Earth
a treasure chest of enormous worth
only a truthful heart would reveal unseen.
in nightly storms cascades of rain
hypnotized with exotic call
branches without bloom
spelled ominous doom
still the legend lingers as raindrops fall.
*For Carol Brown's Raindrops Fall Contest.
*August 20, 2012
Copyright © Linda-Marie Sweetheart | Year Posted 2012
Sun Furnace desiccating.
Man and Beast moving,
In crazed circles of Corral Mirages
Seeking shade.
Moisture-less Sky and Land.
Buzzards, certain of,
Meat Jerky repasts.
Timing air currents,
Until the Western Buffet
Is finally stocked.
Copyright © Kieran Pavlick | Year Posted 2012
drinking from stream
still not satisfied
what am I thirsting for
Copyright © Richard Lamoureux | Year Posted 2012